Tenerife: Private Boat Charter with Tapas & Drinks

Tenerife’s south coast is best appreciated from the water, where the resort skyline gives way to dark volcanic cliffs, sea caves, and mountain peaks. This private three-hour charter carries up to six people from Puerto Colón aboard the 30-foot Rio 850 Cruiser Libby, with a captain and crew looking after the route, food, and drinks.

I like the freedom of having the boat to your own group, and I like the chance to shape the outing around swimming, snorkeling, music, wildlife watching, or simply sitting in the sun. Captains including William, Noel, Robert, and Havier are praised for being friendly and attentive, with some letting guests try the wheel or choose their own Bluetooth playlist.

The main consideration is the food and drink setup. The tapas are generous enough for a snack but may not replace lunch, and one booking reported beer and wine rather than the full range of spirits and cider expected. If those details matter to you, ask what will be stocked before departure.

Key points to know before you book

• Private Rio 850 Cruiser: Your group has the whole 30-foot twin-engine Libby, rather than sharing with a large crowd.
• Wildlife is possible: Pilot whales, dolphins, and a turtle have been spotted, but no sighting can be promised.
• Swimming and snorkeling: The boat may anchor in a sheltered bay, though the open sea is not still water and strong swimmers will be most comfortable.
• Sunset departures are available: The 6:30pm sailing has been praised for its ocean sunset views.
• Food is tapas-style: Expect a snack board and small plates, not a full restaurant meal.
• Good group value: At $530 for up to six people, the price works out to about $88 per person if you fill the boat.

Leaving Puerto Colón aboard Libby

You meet at Pantalan 3 in Puerto Colón, in Adeje, for a private outing lasting three hours. Transport to the harbor is not included, so you will need to make your own way there.

The boat is a 30-foot Rio 850 Cruiser with twin engines. That gives you two useful spaces for the trip: the open bow, with seating and sun pads, and the interior, with two cabins for shade or shelter. There is also a private bathroom and a freshwater shower, practical touches on a boat where you may swim and spend several hours away from shore.

The private format changes the feel of the trip. You are not adjusting your plans around a boatload of strangers, and the captain can respond to your group’s interests. A family might spend more time looking for sea life, while friends may prefer music, drinks, and a swim. The boat has Bluetooth, and several groups have enjoyed playing their own playlist.

The vessel is described as clean and well cared for. It is not a large yacht, so the appeal is less about luxury space and more about having a compact, tidy boat and personal service for a small party.

Along Tenerife’s rugged southern coast

Once you leave the marina, the coastline becomes the main show. The southern shore has dark volcanic rock, irregular cliffs, mountain views, and small sea caves that are difficult to appreciate from the road.

I like this part because the boat gives you a different view of Tenerife. From land, the south is often associated with beaches, hotels, and sun. From the water, you see the island’s rough Atlantic edge and the steep rise of the interior mountains behind it.

The route is not described as a fixed list of named stops. That is a benefit if you want a relaxed cruise instead of a strict sightseeing schedule, but it also means you should not expect a detailed coastal tour with a long stop at every landmark. The exact route can depend on the captain, weather, sea conditions, and wildlife activity.

Captain William has been praised for explaining the area and making the trip easygoing. Noel has taken groups closer to sea life and shared information about pilot whales. Robert has been singled out for taking good care of a birthday group, while Havier has been described as welcoming and reassuring. The crew names may vary, but the important point is that the captain is part driver, part host, and part guide.

Watching for whales, dolphins, and turtles

The waters off southern Tenerife are known for regular marine life sightings, and this charter gives you a comfortable way to look for them. Pilot whales have been seen in large numbers, and other outings have encountered dolphins and a turtle.

Keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife is never guaranteed, and a private boat is not a promise of a close encounter. Still, the small boat can feel more personal than a large excursion vessel when animals appear nearby. You can stay on deck, listen to the captain, and keep watching without having to compete with a large crowd for a view.

The crew can also adjust the route when there is a good chance of seeing sea life. That flexibility has helped make wildlife watching a highlight for several groups. Bring a camera, but keep your eyes on the water too. A sudden sighting may last only a short time.

The boat is also suitable for a gentler outing if no animals appear. The coastline, sun, and open water still give you plenty to enjoy, particularly on an afternoon or sunset departure.

A swim stop in the Atlantic

Swimming is one of the strongest reasons to choose this charter instead of a simple sightseeing cruise. When conditions allow, the boat can anchor in a bay so you can jump into the water, swim, and use the supplied snorkeling gear.

The stop is informal rather than a guided snorkeling lesson. You get equipment onboard, but you should be comfortable in open water and able to judge your own limits. One family group specifically noted that the ocean is not still water and recommended the swim for good swimmers.

That is worth taking seriously. Even a calm-looking bay can have movement, and the boat is not a pool with an easy shallow entry. If you are unsure in the water, you can remain onboard and enjoy the views, drinks, and shade instead.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a hat. Comfortable clothes are best for the rest of the trip. There is a freshwater shower onboard, which is useful after saltwater swimming, although you should not expect the facilities of a beach club.

Tapas, drinks, and the practical food question

The charter includes tapas and unlimited premium brand drinks. This is a pleasant arrangement for a relaxed afternoon on the water, especially when the group wants to stay onboard rather than stop at a restaurant.

The food is best understood as a snack board or light tapas spread. It can take the edge off your appetite, but one group found it light enough that eating before departure would be sensible. I would do the same if you are booking the trip at lunchtime or planning to swim. The food is a bonus, not a substitute for a full meal.

The drinks are another area where you should clarify expectations. The experience is advertised with unlimited premium brand drinks, and groups have enjoyed cava, beer, wine, and other refreshments. However, one booking reported that the available choices were limited to beer and wine, with no spirits or cider.

That does not necessarily mean every departure has the same selection. Stock may vary, and preferences can be discussed with the organizer. If you have a particular drink in mind, ask before you board. The group size is small enough that the crew can often accommodate reasonable preferences, but it is better to confirm than assume.

Please remember that alcohol and drugs are not allowed as personal items under the rules, and smoking is not permitted. The included drinks are served by the crew, and you should follow their instructions throughout the trip.

Sun, shade, and the best departure time

The bow’s sun pads are the natural place to settle in for the views. You can stretch out, watch the coastline, and enjoy the breeze while the captain handles the boat.

The interior has two cabins, offering relief if the sun becomes too strong. That matters on a three-hour trip, especially for children or anyone who does not want constant exposure. A hat and sunscreen are still essential, since the reflection from the water can catch you even on a mild day.

Departure times vary, so you can choose the mood you want. A morning sailing gives you a fresh start and may suit a group that wants to swim. An afternoon departure works well for a birthday, a special occasion, or a slow day away from the pool.

The 6:30pm sunset option has particular appeal. The sun dropping over the ocean adds a simple sense of occasion, and the later light can make the coast feel softer. Sunset also means less time in the strongest midday sun, though you should still bring protection.

What the private price really means

The cost is $530 per group of up to six people. If six friends or family members share the boat, that works out to roughly $88 each. For a private vessel with a captain and crew, fuel, snorkeling equipment, tapas, and included drinks, that is a reasonable group price.

The calculation changes if you have only two people. At $265 each, the charter becomes a special splurge rather than a budget activity. You are paying for privacy, not just a seat on a boat.

That privacy is the main value. A standard cruise may cost less per person, but you will have less control over the music, seating, swimming stop, and general pace. Here, the group can use the boat as a shared private space for a birthday, family outing, or final afternoon in Tenerife.

The boat is limited to six people, which is both a strength and a restriction. Six is enough for a close group, but not enough for a large family reunion or wedding party. If your party is bigger, this is not the right format unless you arrange more than one booking.

The people who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this charter to a small group that wants a relaxed day on the water rather than a formal sightseeing program. It suits friends who want music and drinks, couples looking for a private outing, and families who prefer their own space.

It is also a strong choice for a celebration. One group used it for a 60th birthday and enjoyed steering the boat under supervision, swimming, following dolphins, and raising a drink with tapas. That kind of personal touch is hard to get on a large shared cruise.

The trip is less suitable if you need a full meal, dislike boat movement, or want a guaranteed wildlife encounter. It is specifically not suitable for people prone to seasickness. If you are sensitive to motion, consider that the boat will leave the harbor and travel along the open Atlantic, not remain in sheltered marina waters.

You should also think about your swimming ability. Snorkeling gear is included, but the water is not still, and the activity does not promise a shallow, easy-access beach stop.

Booking details worth checking

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife schedule is still changing.

The meeting point is Pantalan 3 at Puerto Colón. Transportation to the harbor is not included, so allow time to reach the marina and find the correct departure point.

English and Spanish are available, and this is a private group activity. Bring a camera, but protect it from spray. High-heeled shoes are not allowed, and comfortable clothing is the better choice on deck.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 60 ratings, with particularly strong praise for the captains, clean boat, flexible atmosphere, wildlife sightings, tapas, and value for a private outing. The only clear caution is to confirm the exact drinks and food selection before setting out.

Should you book the Puerto Colón charter?

Book it if you want your own small boat, a flexible three hours, and the chance to combine Tenerife’s coast with swimming, wildlife watching, tapas, and drinks. Filling all six places makes the price much easier to justify, and the private setting works especially well for birthdays or a final holiday treat.

I would choose a morning or afternoon sailing for swimming and wildlife watching. Pick the sunset slot if the view and atmosphere matter more than a long swim.

Skip it if you are prone to seasickness, expect a full lunch, or need a guaranteed whale or dolphin sighting. For everyone else, this is a well-priced private outing with enough freedom to feel personal, but enough support from the captain and crew to keep the day easy.

FAQ

Where does the boat charter depart from?

The meeting point is Pantalan 3 at Puerto Colón in Adeje, Tenerife.

How long is the private boat trip?

The charter lasts three hours.

How many people can join?

The price covers a private group of up to six people.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Tapas and unlimited premium brand drinks are included. The exact drink selection may vary, so ask in advance if you require a particular option.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and the boat may stop for swimming and snorkeling when conditions allow.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.