Tenerife: Catamaran Cruise with an Open Bar

The best part of this Tenerife catamaran cruise is the chance to see the island from the water, with pilot whales and dolphins often spotted along the western coast. The longer trip adds the dramatic Cliffs of Los Gigantes, a swim at Masca Bay, and a buffet meal.

I like the easy half-day format and the helpful crew, especially if you choose hotel pickup from southern Tenerife. I also like the full set of steps lowered into the sea for swimming. The main catch is that lunch quality can be uneven, music may play for much of the cruise, and a double sunbed costs an extra 25 euros.

Key points to know before you sail

• Choose the 3-hour or 4.5-hour cruise carefully: The shorter option includes snacks, drinks, and bubbly, while the longer sailing adds lunch, Los Gigantes, and swimming at Masca Bay.
• Watch for whales and dolphins: Pilot whales and dolphins have been seen close to the boat, making the wildlife search one of the strongest reasons to book.
• The west coast views are the main event: You sail past Tenerife’s rugged coast toward the towering cliffs near Los Gigantes.
• Swimming is part of the longer cruise: The boat anchors at Masca Bay, with a full set of steps into the water.
• The open bar is included: The 4.5-hour option includes unlimited drinks, including beer and soda.
• Plan for a few compromises: Sunbeds cost extra, the toilet is reached by steep vertical ladder steps, and the buffet may not suit every taste.

Setting out from southern Tenerife

Your day begins at the marina, either with your own transport or with pickup from a selected hotel or meeting point in southern Tenerife. Pickup is not available from every hotel, and rural areas are not covered, so check the assigned pickup point before you count on a door-to-door ride.

The coach is air-conditioned, which matters on a sunny island day. The ride takes the pressure off getting to the marina, and one passenger with limited mobility received a designated coach seat and early boarding. That kind of assistance depends on the circumstances, but it shows why it is worth telling the provider about your needs ahead of time.

At the marina, you meet the English- and Spanish-speaking host or crew before boarding the Freebird catamaran. This is a large, polished boat rather than a small sailing vessel. You get a choice of places to sit, though the most desirable spots can carry an extra charge.

The cruise costs about $55 per person, which is fair if you use the longer sailing and make good use of the open bar, wildlife watching, swim stop, and meal. The 3-hour option is a simpler outing, so its value depends more on how much you want a relaxed boat ride than on the food or included activities.

Three hours of sea, snacks, and sunshine

The 3-hour trip is the easier choice if you want a short break from hotel pools and beaches. You can sit on the upper deck, take in the views, and enjoy snacks, drinks, and bubbly without committing most of the day to the boat.

This option is less about a full excursion program and more about time on the water. The catamaran follows Tenerife’s western coast, where dark volcanic slopes and curved bays meet open Atlantic water. You get a different view of the island’s coastline than you will find from the main roads.

A sandwich and light refreshments are available, but the full meal belongs to the longer option. If lunch is important to you, do not book the shorter cruise assuming the same food service. The 3-hour outing is best for a quick scenic sail, a celebratory drink, or a first taste of a catamaran cruise.

The boat may play music while under way. Some people will enjoy the holiday atmosphere, while others will want to hear the sea and watch the coast in quiet. If you prefer a calm setting, bring that expectation with you and choose your seat with care.

The 4.5-hour route toward Los Gigantes

The longer cruise gives the day more shape. You spend additional time sailing the west coast, looking for marine life, reaching the area around Los Gigantes, stopping at Masca Bay, and eating lunch before returning to the marina.

The Cliffs of Los Gigantes are the visual high point. Their pale, sheer sides drop toward the sea and make a strong contrast with the dark volcanic rock elsewhere on Tenerife. From the boat, you can frame the cliffs against the water without roads, buildings, or viewpoints getting in the way.

Bring a camera, but keep your attention on the water as well as the cliffs. Dolphins and pilot whales have been spotted close to the catamaran, and that can turn an ordinary stretch of sailing into the most memorable part of the trip. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the route gives you a real chance to look for it.

The crew keeps drinks available from the onboard bar. The longer trip includes an unlimited selection, with beer and soda specifically available. This is a useful part of the value, though it also means you should pace yourself in the sun and drink water when it is available.

Masca Bay gives the cruise a proper swim stop

At Masca Bay, the catamaran drops anchor and opens the water portion of the outing. You can swim from the boat and look beneath the surface for marine life, although snorkeling equipment is not provided.

A full set of steps lowers into the sea, which is much easier than climbing down a narrow side ladder. It gives you a more direct route into the water, but the cruise is not designed as a dedicated snorkeling trip. If underwater exploration is your main goal, you may find the lack of equipment limiting.

The swim stop also depends on your comfort in open water and the conditions on the day. You can stay aboard if you do not want to swim, dry off on the sun deck, and watch the bay from above.

Afterward, you have time to dry in the sun before the meal. Pack swimwear, a towel, and something to cover your shoulders. The upper deck is exposed, and the combination of strong sun, sea spray, and an open bar can catch you out faster than expected.

Lunch is convenient, but keep expectations modest

The 4.5-hour cruise includes a buffet with options such as chicken, rice, or meatballs. Vegetarian rice is also listed among the choices. Having lunch onboard saves you from losing time at a restaurant and keeps the trip moving after the swim stop.

The food is practical rather than a reason to book the cruise. One meal was described as enjoyable, while another found the chicken balls poor and the rice nearly gone. I would treat the buffet as useful fuel, not as a special dining experience.

Timing can affect what remains at the buffet, especially if you eat later in the serving period. If you have a strong preference or dietary concern, ask the crew what is available before filling your plate. The supplied information does not promise a broad range of special diets.

The included unlimited drinks help balance the meal issue. At around $55, a longer outing with drinks, transport by catamaran, wildlife viewing, and swimming can represent good value. The value is weaker if you care mainly about food quality or expect a premium restaurant meal.

Comfort, seating, and the extra sunbed charge

The Freebird has a sun deck where you can sit and watch the coast. Sunbeds are not all included in the basic price, and a double sunbed costs an additional 25 euros. That is reasonable for two people who want a reserved place to stretch out, but it is an easy cost to miss when comparing prices.

You do not need to pay for the sunbed to enjoy the cruise. Standard seating is available, though the most comfortable or best-positioned areas may fill early. If you want a particular spot, arrive ready to board and ask the crew where you can sit.

The boat is suited to a relaxed day rather than a quiet luxury charter. Music can play loudly while the catamaran is moving. That creates a party feel for some people, but it can get in the way if your ideal cruise involves only the sound of waves and seabirds.

The toilet deserves a clear warning. It is reached using fully vertical wooden ladder steps, so it is not suitable for everyone with mobility difficulties. The coach and boarding process may be manageable with advance help, but the toilet arrangement is a real limitation.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend the longer sailing to people who want several elements in one outing: coastal views, a chance to see whales or dolphins, a swim, lunch, and unlimited drinks. It works well for couples, families with older children, and friends who enjoy a social boat atmosphere.

The 3-hour option suits you if you want a lighter commitment. It gives you sunshine and scenery without spending most of the day at sea. It is also a sensible pick if you do not care about swimming or lunch.

This is not the best match for everyone. You may be disappointed if you want a small, quiet sailboat, serious snorkeling, or a carefully prepared meal. Young people looking for a lively party scene may also find the crowd calmer than expected, since the atmosphere can lean toward an older audience.

The cruise can work for people with some mobility limitations, but you must ask specific questions before booking. Early boarding and a designated coach seat may be possible, yet the vertical toilet steps remain a concern. Do not assume that hotel pickup means every part of the boat is step-free.

Making the most of your day aboard

Wear a swimsuit under light clothing and bring a towel. Use sun protection often, especially if you plan to spend time on the upper deck, and carry a layer for the ride back if you are sensitive to wind.

Keep your camera ready as the catamaran approaches Los Gigantes, but also watch the open water for movement. Wildlife sightings are unpredictable, and the best moment may come between the planned stops.

If you choose the 4.5-hour trip, think of the meal as part of the service rather than the central attraction. Eat when food is available, and do not expect a large restaurant-style spread. If you have dietary needs, confirm what is offered before you pay.

Ask about the sunbed fee before boarding. A double bed costs 25 euros, and that may be worthwhile for two people who want to settle in for the whole cruise. If you would rather keep the cost down, use the regular seating and spend time moving between the deck and the rail.

The crew has been praised for being attentive and helpful. That is especially useful during boarding, the swim stop, and the meal service. English and Spanish are spoken, so basic questions about timing, drinks, and safety should be straightforward.

Is the $55 price worth it?

At $55, this is a solid midrange boat outing, particularly on the longer version. You are paying for the catamaran ride, crew, drinks, and, on the 4.5-hour route, lunch, a swim stop, and the chance to see Los Gigantes and marine life.

The value drops if you add a 25-euro sunbed, expect high-quality food, or do not drink alcohol or soda. The shorter cruise may still be worthwhile, but it is closer to a scenic coastal ride with refreshments than a full-day-style excursion.

I would compare the price with the kind of day you want. If you want an easy package with transport, food, drinks, and several sights handled for you, the cost is sensible. If you prefer to choose your own beach, restaurant, and whale-watching trip, you may want a more focused outing.

Should you book the Tenerife catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want an uncomplicated half-day on the Atlantic, especially if the 4.5-hour route appeals to you. The strongest reasons are the west-coast views, the cliffs near Los Gigantes, the chance of close whale or dolphin sightings, and the straightforward swim access at Masca Bay.

Choose the 3-hour cruise if you mainly want a relaxed sail with snacks, drinks, and bubbly. Choose the longer option if you want the best value from the open bar and are happy to accept basic buffet food.

I would skip it if you need a fully accessible boat, want serious snorkeling, or dislike loud music and social group excursions. For everyone else, this is a pleasant way to see Tenerife from a new angle, with enough real highlights to justify the price and a few manageable compromises to keep in mind.

FAQ

How long is the Tenerife catamaran cruise?

You can choose between a 3-hour cruise and a longer option lasting about 4.5 hours.

What is included on the 3-hour cruise?

The 3-hour option includes snacks, drinks, and bubbly. It does not include the lunch served on the longer option.

What is included on the 4.5-hour cruise?

The 4.5-hour option includes lunch with chicken, rice, or meatballs, along with unlimited drinks. It also includes the longer coastal route, the Los Gigantes area, and a swim stop at Masca Bay.

Does the cruise include hotel pickup?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available from selected areas in southern Tenerife. Rural areas are not covered, and pickup is not available from every hotel. You will be assigned the closest pickup point.

Which languages are spoken by the host or crew?

The host or greeter speaks English and Spanish.

Can I see dolphins or whales?

Dolphins and pilot whales are commonly sighted in the waters along the route, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Can I swim from the catamaran?

The 4.5-hour cruise stops at Masca Bay, where you can swim from the boat. A full set of steps lowers into the water, but snorkeling equipment is not provided.

Is a sunbed included?

A double sunbed costs an additional 25 euros. Regular seating is available without that extra charge.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility difficulties?

Some assistance may be available during coach pickup and boarding, but the toilet is reached by fully vertical wooden ladder steps. Ask about your specific needs before booking.