Tenerife: PRIVATE Catamaran cruise with Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this Tenerife outing is the private catamaran: your group of up to eight gets the boat, crew, food, and swimming stop without sharing the day with strangers. You sail from San Miguel Marina, anchor in a favored spot, and set your own pace on the water.

I like the mix of proper lunch and water gear, especially the three paddleboards, snorkeling equipment, and floating toys. I also like the flexible pickup arrangement, which can sometimes be adjusted for a private charter. The main drawback is time: 3.5 hours passes quickly, and anyone prone to seasickness should think twice before booking.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to eight: The $824 group price makes the most sense when shared by a full party.
• San Miguel Marina departure: The cruise begins and ends at Marina San Miguel in Golf del Sur, with other starting points possible for some private charters.
• One main swimming stop: Expect about 45 minutes of sailing, two hours at anchor, then 45 minutes back.
• Lunch is served onboard: Food may be tapas or seafood and chicken paella, with fruit, water, soft drinks, beer, and wine.
• Three SUP boards included: You can combine swimming and snorkeling with paddleboarding and other water equipment.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: The waters are frequented by dolphins and whales, so keep watch during the crossing.

Setting out from San Miguel Marina

Your day begins at Marina San Miguel in Golf del Sur, on Tenerife’s southern coast. You meet the professional captain and crew here before stepping aboard the private catamaran.

The boat then spends roughly 45 minutes sailing toward a favored anchorage. That first stretch matters because it gives you time to settle into the boat, take in Tenerife’s volcanic shore, and watch the Atlantic around you. The catamaran’s front sunbed is the natural place to stretch out, while the open deck gives you a clear view of the water.

You are not simply being carried from one pier to another. The boat itself is part of the day. The pace is gentle, and the crew can shape the outing around your group’s preferences. You might want a quiet start with drinks and sun, or you might prefer to reach the swimming area quickly.

The crew speaks Norwegian, English, and Spanish. No individual guide names are provided, but the captain is described as professional and experienced. That is useful on a private charter, where good communication affects everything from meal timing to how long you spend in the water.

Forty-five minutes of Atlantic sailing

The southern coast of Tenerife is known for steady conditions, and the cruise is planned around calm waters and reliable winds throughout the year. That does not mean the sea will feel flat every day, but it does make this a sensible setting for a short sailing trip.

Keep your eyes open during the crossing. Dolphins and whales frequent these waters, and the crew can help you watch for them. Sightings are not guaranteed, so I would treat wildlife as a welcome possibility rather than the main reason to book.

The views shift as you move offshore. You see Tenerife’s rugged cliffs and volcanic shoreline from a different angle than you do from a road or beach. Since the boat heads to coves and swimming areas that are accessible only by sea, the trip offers a small sense of escape without requiring a full-day voyage.

Bring a light jacket even if the marina feels warm. Wind can make the open deck feel cooler once the boat is moving. Sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel are also listed as essentials.

Two hours at the favorite anchorage

The heart of the trip is the two-hour stop at anchor. Here, you can swim in clear Atlantic water, snorkel, paddleboard, use floating equipment, or stay on the front sunbed with a drink.

The three SUP paddleboards are a strong inclusion for a private group. With only eight people aboard, you have a better chance of getting time on the boards than you would on a large shared boat. Snorkeling gear is also provided, so you do not need to bring your own equipment.

The water stop is flexible rather than tightly programmed. If your group wants to swim for an hour and eat afterward, the crew can shape the timing around that preference. If some people want active time while others prefer to stay dry, the catamaran gives everyone room to choose.

This is also where the private format earns its keep. On a shared cruise, you generally follow the group’s schedule. Here, your party can settle into a slower rhythm. Parents, couples, and mixed-age groups may find that especially helpful, although the activity still requires comfort around open water.

The description refers to secluded coves and small beaches reached by boat. It does not promise that you will step ashore at a specific beach, so book this for time on the water rather than for a beach visit. The reward is the setting itself: volcanic cliffs, open sea, clear water, and a quiet anchorage.

Lunch, tapas, and drinks onboard

Food is part of the experience, not an afterthought. Depending on the arrangement for your group, lunch consists of tapas or seafood and chicken paella. Fresh fruit is also included.

The drink selection includes water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. That gives you enough choice for a relaxed meal without needing to pack supplies. The crew serves the meal onboard, so you can keep the day moving without returning to the marina or interrupting the swimming stop.

The meal has received particularly strong praise in the available feedback. One party singled out the food presentation and the way it was served, while others praised the hospitality and service. That fits the private format: the crew can pay attention to your party rather than working through a large crowd.

There is a small point to clarify before you pay. Cava or prosecco is mentioned as an additional option, not as part of the standard included drinks. A rib ride with a tube or ring is also listed separately from the included dinghy ride. If either matters to you, ask the operator to confirm the cost and availability before departure.

What the private price really means

The advertised cost is $824 per group of up to eight. That is not a cheap quick boat ride, but the calculation changes when you fill the boat. At eight people, the cost works out to about $103 per person. At four people, it is about $206 per person.

The value comes from having the entire catamaran for your own party, along with a captain, crew, lunch, drinks, boards, snorkeling gear, and safety equipment. You are paying for privacy and control as much as for the sailing itself.

For a couple, the price is harder to justify unless privacy is the main goal. For a family or group of friends celebrating something, the cost becomes easier to understand. A shared boat may be cheaper, but it will not give you the same control over the meal, swimming time, or general pace.

The 3.5-hour duration also affects the value. This is a half-day outing, not a full day at sea. You spend about 90 minutes sailing and two hours at anchor, which is a sensible balance for people who want a taste of sailing without committing an entire day.

The return sail to Golf del Sur

After lunch and water time, the boat returns to Marina San Miguel in roughly 45 minutes. This final leg gives you another chance to watch for dolphins and whales, take photographs, and enjoy the coastline from offshore.

It is worth saving a little energy for the ride back. Swimming and paddleboarding can make the return feel shorter, but the Atlantic sun can also catch you off guard. Reapply sunscreen and keep your jacket nearby.

The boat arrives back where it started, which keeps the logistics simple. You do not need to arrange a second transfer from another harbor. Private charters may allow different pickup points, including an arrangement from Las Vistas beach in at least one reported case, but you should confirm your own meeting point in advance.

Crew, service, and the feel onboard

The crew is central to this experience. The available feedback repeatedly highlights friendly service, careful attention, good food, and a relaxed atmosphere. One Norwegian party especially praised the serving and pleasant crew, while a French party described the handling from Las Vistas as smooth and the staff as attentive.

I would expect the service to feel personal because the boat is private. You can tell the crew what sort of day you want, within the limits of the weather and the sailing time. That flexibility is more valuable here than a long list of formal activities.

Safety equipment, including life vests, is included. The boat also has a dinghy for rides or access around the anchorage. The captain remains responsible for deciding what is safe, especially if wind or sea conditions change.

The private setup does not remove every possible discomfort. If you are prone to seasickness, this is specifically not recommended. A catamaran may feel stable, but it is still a boat moving on the Atlantic. Sit where you feel most comfortable, watch the horizon, and avoid booking if motion sickness is a serious concern.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This trip is a good match for a group that wants privacy, food, and swimming in one package. It suits:

• Families who want their own space and easy access to water equipment
• Friends splitting the cost of a private boat
• Couples or small groups marking a special occasion
• People who prefer a relaxed anchorage to a packed sightseeing schedule
• Visitors who want a short sailing outing rather than a full-day charter

It may be less suitable for someone seeking a long coastal cruise, a guaranteed whale sighting, or a strenuous watersports session. The main focus is rest, food, swimming, and enjoying the boat.

The itinerary also works best for people comfortable with an unhurried day. You will not be racing from one attraction to another. The point is to settle in, eat well, take a swim, and let the southern coast provide the setting.

Practical details that make the day easier

Wear swimwear and bring a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a light jacket. The jacket is worth packing even on a sunny day because the wind can pick up during the sailing sections.

The standard food and drink package includes tapas or seafood and chicken paella, fruit, water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. Confirm your preferred meal and any dietary needs before setting out, since the description allows for different food choices.

Cava or prosecco is not clearly part of the regular package. The same applies to a tube or ring ride behind the rib. Ask about those extras before you assume they are included.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold the booking without paying immediately. Starting times depend on availability.

The overall rating is 5 out of 5 from nine verified bookings, with especially warm comments about the crew, food, service, and equipment. That is a small sample, so I would use it as a positive sign rather than a guarantee. The repeated praise does point to the parts of the experience most likely to matter: attentive hosting, well-presented food, and a boat stocked for both relaxation and water activities.

Should you book this private Tenerife catamaran?

Book it if you can fill most of the eight places and want a private half-day at sea with lunch, drinks, and easy access to swimming gear. The strongest reasons are the flexible pace, attentive crew, and combination of food and water time.

Think carefully if you are booking for only one or two people, need a guaranteed wildlife sighting, or often feel seasick. Also confirm the pickup point, meal choice, and price of prosecco or the tube ride before paying.

For the right group, this is a polished and easygoing way to experience Tenerife from the water. You get enough sailing to feel the Atlantic, enough time at anchor to swim and paddleboard, and enough food and drink to make the boat feel like the destination.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts and ends at Marina San Miguel in Golf del Sur, Tenerife. Different starting or pickup points may be possible for some private charters, so confirm this with the operator.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts 3.5 hours. The planned schedule includes about 45 minutes sailing out, two hours at an anchorage, and 45 minutes sailing back.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The private group can include up to eight people.

What food is included?

Lunch includes tapas or seafood and chicken paella, depending on the arrangement. Fresh fruit is also included.

Which drinks are included?

The included drinks are water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. Cava or prosecco is mentioned as an additional option, so confirm whether it costs extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with three SUP paddleboards and other water equipment.

Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?

No. Dolphins and whales frequent the waters, and you can watch for them during the cruise, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a jacket. The experience is not recommended for people prone to seasickness.