Fishing trip, Tenerife Sea Passion

Tenerife Sea Passion takes you from a working fishing harbour rather than a crowded resort marina, then sets lines along the island’s volcanic coast. In four hours, you may try bottom fishing, moving-line fishing for tuna or barracuda, or deep-sea fishing at 200 to 600 metres.

I like the small maximum of 11 people, which gives the captain room to help rather than leaving you lost among a crowd. I also like the useful half-day schedule and the chance to see a less polished side of Tenerife at Playa San Juan.

The main caution is that fishing depends on weather, sea conditions, and luck. Communication and port arrangements have also caused trouble for some bookings, so confirm the departure details before setting out, especially if you are traveling a long distance.

Key points before you cast off

• Small boat group: The boat carries no more than 11 people, keeping the outing more personal.
• Three fishing styles: You may fish near the coast, trail several lines while the boat moves, or use an electric reel in deep water.
• Traditional departure point: Playa San Juan is one of Tenerife’s last traditional fishing harbours.
• Four-hour format: The 10:00 a.m. start leaves you much of the day for other plans.
• Catch is never guaranteed: Past outings have produced tuna, barracuda, and smaller deep-water catches, but some trips have caught nothing.
• Weather matters: Rough conditions can postpone the trip, with a new date or full refund offered if the operator cancels.

Leaving from Playa San Juan at 10:00 a.m.

The outing begins at Sea Passion Charter & Fishing in the fishing harbour of Playa San Juan, on Tenerife’s southwest coast. The exact meeting point is Puerto Pesquero de, 38687 Playa San Juan, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, and the boat returns to this same place after about four hours.

I like this starting point because it is not simply a marina built for holiday boats. Playa San Juan retains a working harbour feel, and that gives the morning a more local setting before you even reach the fishing grounds. The operator is the only one based in this harbour, which should make boarding less hectic than at a larger port.

That said, do not treat the harbour location as a detail you can ignore. One outing involved a last-minute move to another port, a changed departure time, and confusion about where to find the boat. Another departure was postponed several times because of weather. If the operator sends an update, read it carefully and confirm the harbour, time, and boat name before leaving your accommodation.

The meeting time is 10:00 a.m. under the usual schedule. Arrive with enough time to find the fishing harbour without rushing. The activity is near public transportation, but the information provided does not specify routes or fares, so check your own journey in advance.

A four-hour outing with room to fish

The four-hour length is one of the strongest practical features here. You get a proper morning on the water without giving up an entire day of sightseeing, beach time, or an evening booking.

A small group also matters more on a fishing boat than it does on a standard cruise. With a maximum of 11 people, you have a better chance of receiving help with the tackle and asking the captain about the coast. It should feel less like standing in line for a turn and more like sharing a working boat, although the amount of personal attention will still depend on how many people fish actively.

The boat returns to Playa San Juan at the end, so you are not left arranging a separate ride from another harbour. Admission to the activity itself is included in the stated price, and confirmation is sent when you book.

Choosing between three kinds of fishing

Sea Passion offers several methods, and the captain decides what makes sense for the day, the sea, and the fishing grounds. That variety is useful, but you should not assume you are buying one fixed target species or one guaranteed technique.

Bottom fishing along the coast

For bottom fishing, the boat stops at different fishing spots along the coast. The boat remains stationary, and you use light tackle to fish below the surface. This is likely the most accessible option for someone who enjoys the act of fishing but does not need a battle with a large fish.

Jigging can be part of this style. Instead of natural bait, you work an artificial lure through the water. Ask the captain to show you the correct movement if you have not tried it before. Small technical points can make a difference, and one advantage of a small group is having a better chance to get that help.

This method also keeps the coast in view. If the fish are not biting, you are still close enough to enjoy Tenerife’s volcanic shoreline from the sea rather than spending the whole trip looking at open water.

Moving-line fishing for tuna and barracuda

The second approach uses the boat at around 8 knots, with many lines set at different depths. This is the method aimed at moving fish such as tuna and barracuda.

It can be more exciting than stationary fishing because the boat keeps moving and several lines cover different parts of the water. It can also be less predictable. You might get a memorable catch, as some outings have, but there is no promise that tuna or barracuda will appear on your particular morning.

The practical lesson is simple: book this for the fishing day itself, not as a guaranteed tuna trip. If your main goal is a specific species, ask before booking whether that target is expected during your date and which technique the captain plans to use.

Deep-sea fishing from 200 to 600 metres

The deepest option reaches between 200 and 600 metres. Here you use an electric reel and the boat’s equipment. Drinks and all the fishing equipment are included for this type of outing, which is useful because deep-water gear is not something most holidaymakers carry with them.

This is the option that may appeal most to a keen angler hoping to try something different from shore fishing or ordinary coastal trips. It is also the method where the equipment does more of the heavy work. You should still ask how much time will be spent on each technique, since the published plan allows the captain to vary the fishing during the four hours.

The trip has produced several deep-water catches on some days, but other outings have returned without fish. That is not a flaw unique to this boat. It is simply the nature of fishing, and you should measure success by the time on the sea and the chance to learn the methods, not only by the number of fish in the cooler.

What the captain adds to the trip

The captain’s value is not just steering the boat. Sea Passion presents the captain as someone with long experience in the sector and a strong understanding of the Canarian coast. That local knowledge helps with the choice of fishing grounds, the day’s method, and the explanation of what you are seeing offshore.

Several comments praise the captain’s friendly manner, fishing advice, and ability to put the boat over fish. One fishing party specifically described Raoul as the person they eventually found at the port after some confusion. The available information does not clearly identify every crew member by name, so I would not book on the assumption that Raoul will always be your captain, but his name may help if you need to locate the boat.

The captain also brings a link to Tenerife’s maritime culture. This is not simply a sightseeing cruise with a fishing rod added. The harbour, the coastal fishing grounds, the tackle, and the discussion of marine life give the outing a more grounded feel.

Still, personal service cannot fix poor conditions or a slow fishing day. A friendly captain can improve the morning, but no captain can order fish to bite.

What the $96.54 price really buys

At $96.54 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning near the coast. The value improves if you are interested in fishing itself, since the trip includes boat time, fishing equipment, and, for the deep-sea option, an electric reel and drinks.

The small group is also part of the value. A maximum of 11 people is modest for a charter outing, and it gives you a better setup than a large shared boat where you may have little space to work. If you are a keen angler, the price is easier to justify because you are paying for access to different fishing grounds and gear that would be impractical to arrange independently.

For a casual sightseer who mainly wants a scenic boat ride, the price is harder to defend. Fishing takes up the central purpose of the trip, and a blank day is always possible. You are paying for the opportunity, not a catch.

Food deserves a clear warning. One account praised cold beer, while another specifically noted there were no snacks. The safe assumption is that snacks are not included unless the operator confirms otherwise. Drinks are listed as included for deep-sea fishing, but the information does not promise a full food service.

The good and bad of weather changes

This outing requires good weather, and the operator may cancel when sea conditions are unsafe. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is the right policy for a small fishing boat, where conditions can change the whole character of the trip.

The inconvenience is timing. A postponed charter can disrupt a short Tenerife holiday, especially if you have arranged transport or planned the fishing trip near the end of your stay. One booking involved a trip moved three days, while another was canceled after the customer had driven about 90 kilometres.

You can reduce the risk by booking early in your holiday rather than on your final free morning. Keep your phone and email available for updates, and confirm the final departure information directly. If the weather looks poor, do not assume the trip will run simply because your original confirmation arrived.

Communication and meeting-point advice

Most of the practical complaints concern changes rather than the fishing itself. A departure was shifted to a port about 15 minutes away, and one party received a changed time and location but then struggled to find the boat. There was also a case where an extra payment was requested at the port, apparently because the sailor thought the group had arrived without a reservation.

Carry your booking confirmation and show it if there is any question about payment. The published price is $96.54 per person, so you should clarify any extra charge before handing over money.

I would also save the operator’s contact number and ask for the boat name, exact gangway, and any revised departure instructions. The harbour may be small, but that does not guarantee an obvious meeting point. If you are staying far away, allow extra time and keep transport flexible.

The standard cancellation terms are straightforward: you can cancel at least 24 hours before the 10:00 a.m. start for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The weather exception is different, since an operator cancellation offers a new date or full refund.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this trip if you already like fishing, want to try several methods, or are curious about Tenerife’s working coast. It also suits a small family or group of friends that prefers a personal boat outing to a large excursion.

You do not need to be an expert. Most people can participate, and the captain can explain the basic gear and methods. Beginners should be comfortable with the fact that the fishing may be slow and that the morning is built around patience.

Experienced anglers should keep expectations measured. The boat offers genuine variety, including light tackle, moving-line fishing, and deep-water electric reels, but the information does not promise large game fish, a particular species, or a set number of catches.

This is less suitable if you need a fixed schedule, dislike last-minute changes, or would be disappointed by returning empty-handed. It is also not the best choice if your priority is a meal on the water, since snacks are not clearly included.

Should you book Sea Passion?

I would book Sea Passion if the small group and fishing variety appeal to you more than a guaranteed catch. The four-hour format is sensible, Playa San Juan gives the trip a genuine harbour setting, and the chance to switch between coastal, moving-line, and deep-water fishing offers more than a one-note charter.

I would book it early in my Tenerife stay, confirm the meeting point the day before, and leave room in my plans in case weather changes the date. If you can accept the uncertainty of fishing, the $96.54 fare can be fair value for the boat, gear, captain’s local experience, and small group.

If you need absolute logistical certainty or want guaranteed tuna, barracuda, or big game fish, I would choose a different activity. Sea Passion is best understood as a well-equipped fishing opportunity on Tenerife’s coast, not a promise of a full cooler.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip start and finish?

It starts and ends at Sea Passion Charter & Fishing in Puerto Pesquero de, Playa San Juan, 38687 Playa San Juan, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

What time does the trip start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the fishing trip last?

The trip lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join?

The boat accepts a maximum of 11 participants.

What types of fishing are available?

The trip can include bottom fishing along the coast, jigging with artificial bait, moving-line fishing at about 8 knots, and deep-sea fishing at depths of 200 to 600 metres using an electric reel.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.