🍌 Banana Boat vs Crazy Sofa vs Donut: Which Ride to Choose?

Back to Blog

Sotogrande offers three towable rides — banana boat, crazy sofa, and donut. They are all pulled behind a speedboat, they all involve holding on for dear life, and they all end with someone in the water. But each one delivers a completely different experience. This guide breaks down exactly how they compare so you can choose the right ride (or rides) for your group.

The Three Towed Rides Explained

Banana Boat

The classic group ride. Four to eight riders straddle a long inflatable banana, holding handles on each side. A speedboat tows you across the water while the driver makes turns to try and throw the group off. The trick is coordination — everyone needs to lean the same way at the same time. When they do not (and they never do), that is when the fun really starts.

• Riders: 4–8 per boat
• Duration: 15 minutes
• Price: €25 per person
• Minimum age: 4 years
• Thrill level: Moderate — speed is controlled, turns are gradual at first, then sharper as the ride progresses

The banana boat is the most popular group activity in Sotogrande. It works for families with young children, groups of friends, and even company team-building events. The speed stays manageable and the driver adjusts based on the group — gentler turns for kids, sharper turns for adults who want more action.

Book a banana boat ride →

Crazy Sofa

The crazy sofa is a wide, flat inflatable disc. Riders sit or kneel on it, gripping the handles while the speedboat tows at high speed. The driver makes sharp, deliberate turns to spin the sofa sideways, launch it over wake waves, and generally make staying on as difficult as possible.

• Riders: 2–4 per sofa
• Duration: 10 minutes
• Price: €25 per person
• Minimum age: 8 years
• Thrill level: High — faster, wilder, more unpredictable than the banana boat

The crazy sofa is where things get serious. Unlike the banana boat, you are sitting flat on the surface with no saddle underneath you — your grip and core strength are all that keep you on. The sofa bounces over waves, skids sideways on turns, and spins when it catches the wake at the right angle. Most riders last about 3 minutes before the first person flies off.

This is the go-to ride for groups of friends, stag and hen parties, and teenagers who want something more intense than the banana.

Book a crazy sofa ride →

Donut Ride

A giant inflatable ring (yes, shaped like a donut) towed behind the speedboat. Riders sit inside the ring, gripping handles while the boat sends them bouncing and spinning across the waves. The round shape means the donut rotates unpredictably — you never know which direction the next bounce will come from.

• Riders: 1–3 per donut
• Duration: 10 minutes
• Price: €25 per person
• Minimum age: 8 years
• Thrill level: High — similar intensity to the crazy sofa, but with more spinning

The donut is arguably the most chaotic of the three rides. Because the inflatable is round, it does not track in a straight line like the banana. It swings wide on turns, bounces sideways over waves, and spins when the boat changes direction. Riders describe it as being inside a washing machine — but in the best way possible.

Book a donut ride →

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Banana Boat	Crazy Sofa	Donut
Price	€25/person	€25/person	€25/person
Duration	15 min	10 min	10 min
Riders	4–8	2–4	1–3
Min. Age	4 years	8 years	8 years
Thrill Level	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best For	Families, groups	Friends, teens	Couples, small groups
Fall-off Rate	Sometimes	Almost always	Definitely

Which Ride Is Best for Your Group?

Families with Young Children (Ages 4–10)

The banana boat is the only option for children under 8. The ride is exciting but controllable — the driver adjusts speed based on the age of the youngest rider. Parents ride alongside their children and the pace stays fun without being frightening.

Teenagers

Skip the banana and go straight for the crazy sofa. Teenagers want intensity and bragging rights, and the sofa delivers both. A group of 3–4 teens on the crazy sofa is peak holiday entertainment.

Couples

The donut is ideal for two. You sit side by side inside the ring and share the chaos together. It is short, intense, and hilarious — and the photos are always spectacular.

Groups of Friends (4+)

Do all three. Most friend groups spend about an hour cycling through banana boat, crazy sofa, and donut. Start with the banana (the warm-up), then escalate to the sofa and donut. Ask about combo pricing when you book.

Stag and Hen Parties

The crazy sofa is the stag/hen party favourite. The competitive element — who can stay on the longest — turns every ride into a tournament. Combine it with jet skiing for the complete water sports party.

Can You Do More Than One?

Absolutely — and most groups do. The three rides complement each other perfectly because each one feels different. A common combination is:

1. Banana boat first — get everyone in the water, warm up, build confidence
2. Crazy sofa second — escalate the intensity while everyone is still energised
3. Donut last — the chaotic finale that nobody stays on for long

Total time for all three: about 45 minutes. Total cost: around €75 per person. That is under two hours of water sports for less than a restaurant dinner.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Ride

Body Position Matters

On the banana boat, lean into turns together — coordination keeps the group on longer. On the crazy sofa, sit low and grip with your legs as well as your hands. On the donut, sit inside the ring rather than on top of it.

What to Wear

Swimwear, water shoes or secure sandals, and sunscreen. Nothing loose, nothing valuable. You will end up in the water at some point. Leave jewellery, watches, and phones on shore.

Falling Off Is Part of the Fun

Everyone wears a life jacket. The water is warm. Falling off is not a failure — it is the highlight. Our instructors are right there to pick you up. Most riders ask to go again immediately after falling.

Ask the Driver to Go Easy or Hard

Before each ride, tell the boat driver what you want. "Easy" means gentler turns and moderate speed — great for kids and nervous riders. "Maximum" means sharp turns, high speed, and no mercy. The driver adjusts every ride based on the group.

Bring Someone to Film

The best footage comes from someone on shore or the boat, not from a waterproof phone strapped to your wrist. Have one person sit out a round and film the rest of the group. The fall-off moments are comedy gold.

Practical Information

• Location: Puerto de Sotogrande, Atraque 1
• Season: April through October
• Booking: Online or via WhatsApp at +34 600 642 638
• What is included: Life jackets, safety briefing, insurance
• Cancellation: Free cancellation for weather. Weather policy →

Book your towed ride →