3H Shared Barrier-Free Cruise with Turtles Dolphins & Whales

Santa Rita is the big story here: a fully accessible boat built so wheelchair and mobility scooter users can roll aboard, move around, and reach the sea. You’ll spend three hours off Los Cristianos looking for turtles, dolphins, and pilot whales, with a small group of no more than 10 people.

I like the rare chance to enter the water using a hydraulic platform and water wheelchair, and I like the relaxed setup: shaded stern seating, cushions at the bow, soft drinks, and a cold Italian-style pasta dish. The main thing to consider is that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and $58 is fair value mainly if you want both a marine-life cruise and genuine water access.

Key points to know before booking

• Santa Rita’s hydraulic platform lets wheelchair and mobility scooter users board without leaving their mobility aid.
• Las Vistas Bay is the swimming and snorkeling stop, with equipment and assistance available when needed.
• Guaza Fish Farm attracts sardines, mackerel, turtles, and sometimes dolphins looking for food.
• Pilot whales and dolphins are sought in open water along Tenerife’s southern coast.
• Only 10 people maximum keeps the boat less crowded and makes crew assistance more practical.
• Pasta salad, soft drinks, and shaded seating make this more than a bare-bones wildlife outing.

Why Santa Rita changes the usual boat trip

Many boat excursions use a narrow boarding ladder or expect you to transfer from a wheelchair into a seat. Santa Rita takes a different approach. Its hydraulic platform and ramps are designed for wheelchair and scooter users, and the vessel has secure spaces for different mobility aids.

That matters most once the boat leaves the harbor. Accessibility is not limited to getting on board. The boat also has an accessible bathroom and a platform that can help you reach the water. A special water wheelchair is available for sea entry, with assistance for people who need it.

I would still contact BAT4ALL before booking if you use a larger mobility scooter or have specific transfer needs. The boat is described as suitable for wheelchairs and scooters, but individual equipment varies. The advertised capacity is up to 10 people, so you can expect a personal setting rather than a packed excursion boat.

The boat itself has several places to settle. Artificial grass covers part of the deck, the stern has shade, and the bow has cushions. Tenerife’s sun can be strong even when the breeze feels cool, so the shaded seating is not a minor detail. Bring sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and beachwear.

Starting at Los Cristianos

You meet at BAT4ALL Barco Accesible Tenerife in the excursion area. Follow the signs for Zone B, then follow the blue line painted on the ground. The tour returns to this same point after three hours, and hotel pickup is not included.

Los Cristianos is a practical starting place for a coastal cruise. Once Santa Rita leaves shore, the town becomes a reference point behind you while the focus shifts to the open Atlantic. The route is built around several short activities rather than one long stop, so you get wildlife watching, coastal scenery, swimming, and food in a compact half-day outing.

The crew speaks Spanish, English, and Italian. That is useful on a small boat, especially when you need clear help with boarding, snorkeling, or the water platform. No individual guide names are provided, but crew support is a central part of the experience.

Guaza Fish Farm and the first wildlife search

One of the first notable areas is Guaza Fish Farm. Sea bream and bass are raised there, while schools of sardines and mackerel gather around the farm. Those smaller fish can attract sea turtles and dolphins, giving you a better chance of seeing marine life in a natural setting.

The fish farm is not a formal aquarium visit. You stay on the boat and watch the ecosystem around the pens. That makes the stop more interesting than a simple photo pass, since the fish activity helps explain why larger animals may appear nearby.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. The tour searches for up to 17 species of whales along Tenerife’s coast, but ocean wildlife follows its own timetable. You may see pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, or only brief signs of activity. Bring patience and keep your eyes moving across the water.

The small group helps here. With fewer people on board, you should have a better chance of finding a clear place to look. The crew can also focus on helping people rather than managing a large crowd.

Lover’s Cave and the coastal pause

Lover’s Cave is a sea cave with clear water and a setting made for photographs. It gives the cruise a change of pace after the open-water wildlife search. Instead of scanning the horizon, you look toward the rock and water close to the boat.

The stop is also a useful reminder that this is a coastal outing, not only a whale-watching run. The cave adds a local landmark and a sheltered-feeling moment to the route, although the exact amount of time spent there is not specified.

You will want your phone or camera ready, but protect it carefully around the water. The tour includes swimming and snorkeling later, so beachwear is sensible from the start. Comfortable shoes are also recommended for moving around the boat.

Las Vistas Bay for swimming and snorkeling

The most valuable stop for many people is Las Vistas Bay. Here, you can swim and use the included snorkeling gear to look at the underwater ecosystem in clear water.

Snorkeling is optional. Assistance is available for people who need it, and the boat’s water wheelchair gives wheelchair users a way to enter the sea. One particularly important feature is the platform itself. A guest with a wheelchair described reaching the water by this platform as the highlight of the trip, since it allowed access that other boats could not provide.

That is the difference between an accessible viewing trip and an accessible sea experience. You are not simply watching other people swim from the deck. You have the chance to take part, subject to your own needs and the conditions on the day.

The supplied information also mentions jumping from the roof of the boat. Treat that as an optional activity for those who want it, not as a required part of the cruise. People who prefer a calm swim, assisted water entry, or simply watching from the shade can enjoy the stop without taking part in every activity.

The water stop does have a practical limitation. The schedule is only three hours, and the route includes several attractions. If swimming is your main goal, ask BAT4ALL how much time is normally set aside at Las Vistas Bay before you reserve.

Searching for dolphins and pilot whales

The cruise then reaches open water for dolphin and pilot whale watching. Tenerife’s southern coast is known in the tour plan for sightings of several whale species, and pilot whales are a particular target.

You might see animals close to the boat, or you might spot them at a distance. The correct attitude is to treat wildlife as a possibility, not a performance. The crew can search likely areas, but no responsible operator can promise a particular species on a particular morning or afternoon.

A calm sea day can make the search more comfortable, especially for anyone sensitive to motion. The information provided does not promise sea conditions, so pack lightly, use sunscreen, and follow crew advice if you need a steadier place to sit.

I like that the wildlife portion is paired with the fish farm and coastal stops. If whales remain elusive, you still have a full outing with a cave, a swim, snorkeling, food, and views from the sea.

Food, drinks, and space on board

The food is simple but useful. You receive an Italian Mediterranean-style cold pasta dish, described as pasta salad, along with soft drinks. Alcoholic drinks cost extra. One reported meal included tuna salad and a glass of fizz, while another praised the pasta salad, so the exact offering may vary.

This is not a gourmet cruise, and you should not book it expecting a long meal service. The food gives you something filling after time in the water and keeps the three-hour trip from feeling like a nonstop search for animals.

The boat has artificial grass on part of the deck, shaded seating at the stern, and cushions at the bow. That range of seating is valuable because you can choose between sun, shade, and a softer place to rest. Space is another strong point for wheelchair users. A five-star experience specifically noted that the boat was large enough for several wheelchairs and that the crew helped with movement around the vessel.

Is $58 a fair price?

At $58 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Tenerife. The value depends on what you need from the outing.

For a standard whale-watching trip, you may find less expensive choices. BAT4ALL’s price makes more sense if you value small-group access, an accessible bathroom, crew assistance, included snorkeling, food, and the ability to reach the sea by platform. Those features can be hard to find together.

The maximum of 10 people also changes the feel of the trip. You are not paying only for transport to a wildlife area. You are paying for more room, more direct support, and a boat designed around access from boarding through water entry.

Private and small-group options are available. A private outing will cost more, but it may suit a family or group with specific mobility needs. The three-hour shared cruise is the sensible starting point if you want to test the format without paying for a full private charter.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those terms help if your plans or mobility needs are still being arranged.

Who will get the most from this cruise?

I would point this tour toward wheelchair users, mobility scooter users, families who want a manageable boat outing, and anyone who dislikes large, crowded excursions. It is also a strong choice if getting into the sea matters as much as seeing whales.

The tour suits you if you want a mix of activities. In three hours, you can look for marine life, visit Guaza Fish Farm and Lover’s Cave, swim, snorkel, eat, and return to Los Cristianos.

It may not suit you if your only goal is a long whale-watching session. The route has several stops, and three hours goes quickly. It may also disappoint anyone expecting guaranteed turtles or dolphins. Ocean sightings depend on luck and conditions.

For families, the combination of snacks, swimming, wildlife, and a small group should keep the outing varied. For people with limited mobility, the key question is not simply can I board, but can I comfortably use the bathroom, move around, and reach the water. BAT4ALL is designed to address all three, though you should share your exact requirements before booking.

Practical tips for a smoother outing

Arrive at Zone B and follow the blue ground line rather than assuming the first boat area is correct. Since hotel transfers are not included, allow time to reach the meeting point on your own.

Wear beachwear under comfortable clothes. Pack sunscreen, and keep a light layer handy if you find the sea breeze cool. Soft drinks are included, but bring any personal items you need for the three-hour period.

If water access is your priority, mention it when booking. Ask about the platform, water wheelchair, transfer assistance, and how much time is normally available for swimming. The tour information confirms that assistance is available, but a clear conversation beforehand will help the crew prepare for your needs.

Keep your wildlife expectations realistic. The tour searches for dolphins, turtles, and whales, but the sea does not follow a schedule. The fish farm, cave, views, and swim stop give the cruise value even when the animals stay out of sight.

Should you book BAT4ALL?

Book this cruise if accessible sea access is central to your holiday. The hydraulic boarding platform, water wheelchair, accessible bathroom, small capacity, and helpful crew make Santa Rita a rare option for people who want to do more than look at the ocean from shore.

I would also recommend it for anyone who prefers a relaxed, personal boat trip with a swim stop and food included. At $58, the price is reasonable for the combination of features, especially when other boat trips may not offer practical access to the water.

Choose another tour if you want a full-day sailing trip, guaranteed wildlife, or a long, dedicated snorkeling session. For a three-hour outing that puts access first and adds real chances to see Tenerife’s marine life, BAT4ALL is a thoughtful choice.

FAQ

How long is the BAT4ALL cruise?

The shared cruise lasts three hours. Starting times depend on availability when you book.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at BAT4ALL Barco Accesible Tenerife in Los Cristianos. Follow signs for Zone B, Excursions, and then follow the blue line on the ground.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Santa Rita has ramps, secure spaces, an accessible bathroom, and a hydraulic platform for wheelchair and mobility scooter boarding.

Can a mobility scooter stay with me while boarding?

The boat is designed to let mobility scooter users roll aboard without stepping off. Contact BAT4ALL beforehand to discuss the size and type of your scooter.

Can wheelchair users enter the sea?

Yes. The boat has a platform for sea access and special water wheelchairs. Assistance is available for people who need it.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and snorkeling at Las Vistas Bay is optional.

What wildlife might I see?

The cruise searches for dolphins, turtles, pilot whales, and other whale species along Tenerife’s coast. Sightings are not guaranteed.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive an Italian Mediterranean-style cold pasta dish and soft drinks. Alcoholic drinks are available for an extra charge.

How many people can join the boat trip?

Santa Rita accommodates up to 10 people. Private and small-group options are available.

What languages are offered?

The live tour is available in Spanish, English, and Italian.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.