Tenerife: Shared Yacht Cruise with Champagne and Tapas

The best part of this Tenerife cruise is its small-group feel. You sail from Puerto Colon on a Beneteau Antares 42 with no more than 10 people, so the outing feels far more personal than a large party boat. Wildlife watching, a swim stop near La Caleta, and time on deck give the trip a pleasant mix of activity and rest.

I like the free-flowing drinks and generous tapas, and I like that the crew, including guides such as Juan, Maxi, Michelle, and Martina on different departures, takes time to explain the coastline and marine life. The main caution is the Atlantic itself: if you are prone to seasickness, this may not be the right boat trip for you.

Key things to know before you book

• A maximum of 10 people keeps the cruise quiet, spacious, and easy to enjoy.
• The La Caleta stop lasts about 90 minutes, with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and sea scooters.
• Wildlife sightings can be excellent, including dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, flying fish, and occasionally orcas.
• Tapas are served onboard, including baguettes, Tortilla Española, jamón, cheese, and fruit.
• The $100 price includes the boat, crew, fuel, food, drinks, and water equipment, which makes it good value if you use the full package.
• The trip needs at least four people to run, so a low booking total can lead to rescheduling.

A yacht cruise that keeps the group small

This is a shared charter, not a private yacht rental, but the small capacity changes the whole mood. At four to six passengers, you may have long stretches of deck space and plenty of time to chat with the crew. Even at the maximum of 10, this is a much more intimate outing than the larger sightseeing boats leaving Tenerife’s southern ports.

You board at Puerto Colon, with the meeting point at Pantalán No. 2. Arrive 15 minutes before departure and wait at the top by the gate. The stated departure is 10:30 AM, though you should check the confirmed start time when booking.

The boat is a Beneteau Antares 42, a proper cruising yacht rather than a basic open motorboat. You get a captain, full crew, fuel, safety equipment, and life jackets as part of the price. Pickup and drop-off from Puerto Colon can be included if you choose that option, while some hotel pickup arrangements are also available.

The crew names vary by departure. Juan appears frequently, along with Maxi, Michelle, Martina, Eduardo, Raúl, and others. The strongest part of the crew service is its mix of attention and local explanation. Juan, in particular, is often praised for explaining different dolphins and whales and for keeping a respectful distance from pilot whales.

Setting sail with champagne and sea views

The first few minutes set the tone. You receive a welcome glass of champagne as you board, then settle into the boat as it leaves Puerto Colon. Tenerife’s southern coast looks different from the water, with the resort towns and volcanic slopes viewed from a quieter angle.

The first 45-minute section combines the cruise itself with sightseeing and wildlife watching. Keep your camera ready, but do not treat dolphin or whale sightings as guaranteed. The boat operates in an area where marine life can appear, and the crew watches for it, but animals move on their own schedule.

Several departures have produced sightings of dolphins and pilot whales. Other outings have included sea turtles, flying fish, and even orcas. That range makes the wildlife element a real bonus, but it should remain a bonus rather than the only reason you book.

The crew’s handling matters here. Good wildlife watching means keeping a sensible distance and avoiding a frantic chase. The information provided about the trip points to a safety briefing and marine-life viewing, and the strongest crew feedback centers on calm explanations rather than loud entertainment.

You can sit back with a drink, watch the water, or follow the action when the crew spots something. The all-inclusive drinks include champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. The approach is relaxed, although one passenger felt drink refills could have been more frequent. That is a minor point, but it is worth keeping in mind if attentive table service is important to you.

Tapas lunch with a Spanish flavor

Food is served as part of the cruise, not sold as an extra. The spread includes fresh baguettes, Tortilla Española, Spanish jamón, cheese, and fresh fruit. That is simple boat food, but it fits the setting well and gives you something substantial between swimming and wildlife watching.

Tortilla Española, the classic Spanish potato omelet, is the most local touch. The jamón and cheese make easy deck food, while fruit adds something light in the warm weather. Several departures have been praised for plentiful food and drinks, and some people describe the meal as one of the best parts of the outing.

The menu is not especially flexible based on the information available. One passenger specifically wanted more vegetarian sandwiches or wraps instead of mainly ham. If you do not eat meat, check the food arrangements before booking rather than assuming a full vegetarian selection will be available.

There was also a practical complaint about crisps running out on one trip. That is not a central part of the advertised meal, but it shows why you should view the food as a Spanish tapas picnic rather than a full restaurant lunch.

The La Caleta stop: swim, snorkel, and play

After roughly 45 minutes of cruising and wildlife watching, the yacht reaches the La Caleta area for about an hour and a half. This is the active heart of the trip, with time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and use of the provided sea scooters.

You can choose your pace. Stay on deck with a drink, take a swim, or use the water equipment to see the coast from a different angle. Snorkeling gear and life jackets are included, and the crew can help you get set up.

The water stop is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a simple sightseeing boat. You are not just looking at Tenerife from the rail. You get a proper break to enter the water and spend time there without being rushed.

Still, pay attention to the exact equipment available on your departure. One person expected a slide shown in the photos and found it was not available. Another passenger said the paddleboards were not included, although the stated inclusions list paddleboard use. The most sensible approach is to expect the listed paddleboards, sea scooters, and snorkeling gear, but not every item that may appear in promotional images.

The number of swim stops can also vary in practical terms. One departure had a single main swimming stop, which is consistent with the La Caleta section of the scheduled route. If you want several separate stops, a dedicated snorkeling excursion may suit you better.

The sea can be cool, and conditions may affect how much time you spend in the water. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A camera is also worth packing, but protect it properly around the water.

The return cruise along Tenerife’s coast

The final 45 minutes return toward Tenerife and Puerto Colon. This gives you another chance for coastal sightseeing and marine-life viewing, but it is less structured than the central stop. You can use the time to dry off, finish the tapas, and enjoy the remaining drinks.

This last section also makes the cruise feel like a half-day outing rather than a rushed boat transfer. You have time to settle into the yacht and take in the view without being pushed from one activity to another. Several people particularly liked that the crew did not make them feel rushed.

You return to Puerto Colon, with drop-off at the marina’s Pantalán No. 2. Playa de las Américas is also listed as a drop-off location. If you arrange hotel transport, confirm the pickup details and wait outside your hotel reception at the agreed time.

What $100 buys you

At $100 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Tenerife. It is also not simply a three-hour boat ride. Your price covers the Beneteau yacht, captain and crew, fuel, a welcome glass of champagne, unlimited listed drinks, tapas, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, sea scooters, safety gear, and wildlife-watching opportunities.

The value improves if you care about space and service. A larger boat may offer a lower price, but you are likely to share the experience with many more people. Here, the maximum of 10 creates room to sit comfortably and makes it easier to ask the crew questions or get help with the water equipment.

It can feel especially good value if fewer than 10 people book. A group of five, for example, may have the yacht feeling almost private without paying a full private-charter price. That is not guaranteed, though, so book for the shared experience and treat a very small group as a pleasant extra.

The drinks are another major part of the calculation. Champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included, so you are not adding bar charges throughout the trip. Drink responsibly, especially if you plan to swim or use the sea scooters.

The real practical drawback: seasickness and trip confirmation

This is a sea outing, and the open Atlantic can be uncomfortable for some people. The activity is specifically not suitable for people prone to seasickness. One passenger did become very unwell, although the crew helped by suggesting a better place to sit.

If you know you are sensitive to motion, think carefully before booking. Ask about seating near the most stable part of the boat, and consider taking your usual seasickness medication if it is suitable for you. No sightseeing opportunity is worth spending three hours miserable.

There is also a minimum group size of four. If fewer than four people book, the operator will reschedule the trip for another day. That rule protects the viability of the charter, but it can affect fixed holiday plans. The flexible cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps reduce the risk.

Who will enjoy this Tenerife cruise most

I would choose this outing for couples, families, and small groups who want a polished boat experience without hiring an entire yacht. It works particularly well for people who want a balance of wildlife watching, food, swimming, and quiet time.

Families should note that the group size is limited, which makes supervision easier than on a large party boat. Life jackets and full safety equipment are provided, but you still need to judge whether young children are comfortable on a moving yacht and in the water.

It is also a good fit for anyone who likes local explanation. Juan, Maxi, Michelle, and the other crew members are praised for their friendly service and information about the area and marine life. The trip is not just a transport loop along the coast.

You may want another option if you want loud music, a large social crowd, a guaranteed animal encounter, many separate swim stops, or a broad vegetarian menu. You should also think twice if seasickness is a serious problem for you.

What to pack and how to meet the boat

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and a camera. Wear something comfortable for sitting on deck, and keep your belongings secure around the swimming area.

Meet at Puerto Colon Pantalán No. 2 15 minutes before departure. The instruction is to stay at the top by the gate. If you select pickup, wait outside your hotel reception at the agreed time for a staff member.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. Check the exact start time and pickup choice when you book, since the available option can affect where you meet the boat.

Should you book the Puerto Colon yacht cruise?

Book it if you want a small, relaxed yacht day with good food, included drinks, a real swim stop, and a fair chance of seeing dolphins or whales. The combination of a maximum 10 people, a comfortable Beneteau yacht, and attentive crew gives you more breathing room than a standard party cruise.

The $100 price is justified when you use the full package, especially the drinks and water equipment. Just keep your expectations sensible: wildlife cannot be promised, equipment shown in photos may vary, and the trip may be rescheduled if fewer than four people book.

For most visitors who want to see Tenerife from the sea without paying for a private charter, this is a strong choice. I would book it for the personal service, the La Caleta water stop, and the chance to spend three unhurried hours with a small group.

FAQ

Where does the yacht cruise depart from?

The meeting point is Puerto Colon, Pantalán No. 2. Arrive 15 minutes before departure and wait at the top by the gate.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts three hours. The route includes about 45 minutes of initial sightseeing and wildlife watching, around 90 minutes near La Caleta, and about 45 minutes returning toward Tenerife.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a welcome glass of champagne and all-inclusive champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. The tapas include baguettes, Tortilla Española, Spanish jamón, cheese, and fresh fruit.

What water activities are available?

The included equipment and activities include swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and sea scooters. Snorkeling gear, paddleboards, life jackets, and safety equipment are provided.

How many people can join the yacht?

The shared cruise has a maximum of 10 participants. At least four people must book for the trip to operate. If fewer than four people book, the operator will reschedule the outing.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off at Puerto Colon are available when that option is selected. Pickup instructions say to wait outside your hotel reception at the agreed time.