Reviewed · SAILING

Premium Yacht Private Charter

5.0 · 10 reviews Operated by Tenerife First Excursions · Bookable on Viator
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Seeing whales from a private yacht in Tenerife gives you something the larger boats cannot: room to choose the pace. Your group can spend more time watching wildlife, take a swim and snorkeling stop, or simply stretch out on the front beds with a drink and snack. The boat leaves from Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas and returns there after about three hours.

I like the small-group format and the easy booking process. A group of 10 can share the yacht for $632.66, which works out to about $63 per person if you fill every place. I also like that the captain handles navigation while you focus on the sea, with swim equipment already provided.

The main consideration is simple: three hours passes quickly, especially if you want plenty of time for both wildlife watching and swimming. Whale and dolphin sightings are never guaranteed, and the trip depends on good weather. Still, for a family or group of friends wanting a more personal boat day, this is a strong option.

Key points to know before booking

Premium Yacht Private Charter - Key points to know before booking

  • Private yacht for up to 10 people: You share the boat only with your own group, not a crowd of unrelated passengers.
  • Whale and dolphin watching: The captain takes care of navigation while you look for marine life off Tenerife’s coast.
  • Swim and snorkel stop: Provided equipment lets you get in the water during the three-hour charter.
  • Drinks and snacks included: You can settle in without arranging your own refreshments for the trip.
  • Puerto Colón departure: The meeting point is in Playa de las Américas, close to public transportation.
  • Flexible timing on the water: Your group can influence how long you spend watching wildlife and how long you use the swim stop.

A private start from Puerto Colón

Premium Yacht Private Charter - A private start from Puerto Colón

The charter begins at Puerto Colón, the marina in Playa de las Américas. This is a practical starting point if you are staying in the resort area, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

You receive a mobile ticket and booking confirmation at the time of reservation. That matters here because private charters often involve more coordination than a standard sightseeing cruise. Tenerife First Excursions handles the booking arrangements, with staff members including Trevor, Sarah, Laura, Andreea, Lisa, Daniel, and Patricia praised for being helpful during the reservation process.

You should still arrive with enough time to find the marina and identify the boat. The supplied details do not give a precise check-in time or a boat name, so check your confirmation carefully before setting out. Your return point is the same marina, which keeps the day straightforward.

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Why the private format changes the boat trip

Premium Yacht Private Charter - Why the private format changes the boat trip

A large whale-watching boat can be good value, but it comes with fixed routines and plenty of people competing for the best view. This charter is different. Only your group takes part, so you have more space and less pressure to follow someone else’s plan.

That private setup is especially useful for families. Children can move between the seating areas, adults can talk without shouting over a crowd, and everyone can decide how much time to spend in the water. If one person wants to snorkel while another prefers to stay aboard, the group has more control than it would on a standard shared excursion.

The limit is 10 people. That makes the yacht intimate, but it also means the price becomes much better when the boat is full. At $632.66 per group, two people would pay roughly $316 each, while 10 people would pay about $63 each. The value is strongest for a family group, several couples, or friends traveling together.

I would compare this price with the cost of separate seats on a shared cruise. If your group is small, the private experience may be a premium purchase. If you can fill most of the 10 places, the extra privacy becomes easier to justify.

The three-hour route, step by step

The exact order depends on the captain and sea conditions, but the charter has two main aims: watching marine life and stopping for a swim or snorkel. You are not locked into a long list of scheduled sights, which is part of the appeal.

Leaving Playa de las Américas

Once aboard, the captain takes over the boat work and navigation. You can settle in, take in the coastal views, and get comfortable before the wildlife search begins.

The front of the boat has beds where you can lie back, according to the details shared about the trip. That is a pleasant touch on a three-hour outing, though anyone prone to seasickness may prefer a more central and stable position. The yacht is described as beautiful and well maintained, with comfort given more attention than you usually get on a basic group boat.

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Watching for whales and dolphins

Tenerife is a well-known place for marine wildlife excursions, and this charter is designed around finding whales and dolphins at sea. The captain handles the route, leaving you free to watch the water rather than worry about operating the boat.

You may see several dolphin families, and one account describes dolphins playing near the boat. That kind of encounter is possible, but it is not promised. Wildlife decides the schedule, not the booking calendar. Some departures may produce close sightings, while others may involve more patient searching.

The private format helps if the group wants to wait in an area where wildlife has been spotted. The information specifically says you can decide how much time to spend with the wildlife, within the limits of the three-hour charter. That flexibility is valuable because a rushed sighting can feel less satisfying than a calm period spent watching animal behavior.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a wildlife trip, not a guaranteed animal show. You will be at sea, and conditions can affect both visibility and comfort. The experience works best when you enjoy being on the water even if the animals keep their distance.

The swim and snorkeling stop

The boat also includes a stop where you can swim or snorkel, with equipment provided. This gives the outing a second purpose and breaks up the wildlife watching.

I like this arrangement because you are not dependent on a single sighting to make the trip worthwhile. If the sea is suitable, getting into the water adds a more active part to the day. You can also choose to remain aboard if swimming is not for you, although the supplied information does not give details about the exact swim location, water temperature, or which equipment is available.

Your group can decide how long to spend at the swim stop. That is useful for mixed groups. Strong swimmers may want more time in the water, while families with young children may prefer a shorter stop. Since the charter lasts only three hours, you should agree early on how to divide the time between wildlife watching and swimming.

Returning to Puerto Colón

After the wildlife search and swim stop, the boat returns to Puerto Colón. The same start and end point make it easy to plan the rest of your day, with no separate pickup arrangement listed.

The experience is advertised as approximately three hours, so avoid booking another activity too tightly against it. Sea conditions, the time spent watching wildlife, and the swim stop can all affect the rhythm of the outing. Leave yourself a sensible buffer.

Drinks, snacks, and comfort aboard

Premium Yacht Private Charter - Drinks, snacks, and comfort aboard

Drinks and snacks are included, which adds real value on a short private charter. You do not need to bring a full picnic, and refreshments are available while you sit on the boat or wait for wildlife.

The food described in the feedback includes snacks and sandwiches. Exact menus are not specified, so do not book this expecting a full meal or a particular dietary option. If someone in your group has food allergies or strict dietary needs, ask before departure.

The front beds are a highlight for anyone who likes the classic yacht feeling: sun, sea air, and a place to stretch out. The tradeoff is exposure to sun and movement. Bring sun protection, and remember that a comfortable boat does not remove the usual effects of being at sea.

The yacht is described as beautiful and well maintained. A captain is included, so you are not responsible for sailing or navigation. That lets you enjoy the occasion, especially if the charter is part of a birthday, family gathering, or proposal. One booking became an engagement on board, which tells you the setting can suit a special event as well as a regular holiday outing.

The captain and the booking team

Premium Yacht Private Charter - The captain and the booking team

The captain is central to the quality of this experience. The captain is described as attentive and informative, but the supplied details do not provide a captain’s name. That means you should not choose this charter expecting a particular named skipper.

The booking staff are easier to identify. Trevor arranged a three-hour private charter for one family, while Sarah, Laura, Andreea, Lisa, Daniel, and Patricia are all associated with helpful reservation support in the available feedback. Their role is mainly to organize the excursion and explain the options before you arrive.

That personal help can be useful if you are booking several activities in Tenerife. Daniel, for example, helped with a boat charter reservation, while Lisa arranged both a private charter and a visit to Monkey Park in one booking conversation. This is not a reason to book blindly, but it does suggest that the company can help you compare excursions rather than simply process a payment.

The trip has a 4.9 rating from 10 ratings and a 100 percent recommendation figure. That is encouraging, but the sample is small. I would treat it as a sign of strong satisfaction, not as proof that every departure will be perfect.

Weather, sea conditions, and practical limits

Premium Yacht Private Charter - Weather, sea conditions, and practical limits

Good weather is required for the charter. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects you from losing your money when conditions make the outing unsafe or unpleasant.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Tenerife time, so pay attention if you are arranging the booking from another time zone.

The supplied information says most people can participate and that the activity is near public transportation. It does not give detailed information about wheelchair access, boarding steps, child age limits, or medical restrictions. If anyone in your group needs specific assistance, contact Tenerife First Excursions before paying.

A mobile ticket is accepted, which is convenient. Keep the confirmation available on your phone, and check the meeting instructions for the exact departure details.

Who will enjoy this charter most

Premium Yacht Private Charter - Who will enjoy this charter most

This is a good fit for:

  • Families who want their own boat and a flexible swim stop
  • Groups of friends who can share the cost
  • Couples looking for a private setting
  • Visitors who dislike crowded excursion boats
  • Anyone marking a special event, such as an engagement or birthday
  • People who want both wildlife watching and time in the water

It may be less suitable if you are traveling alone or as a pair and want the lowest possible cost. A shared boat will likely make more financial sense, though it will not offer the same privacy.

It is also not ideal if you need a guaranteed whale sighting or a fixed, tightly timed program. Marine life is unpredictable, and the boat schedule is intentionally flexible.

Is $632.66 good value?

Premium Yacht Private Charter - Is $632.66 good value?

The price is $632.66 for the whole group, up to 10 people. That covers the private yacht, captain, approximately three hours on the water, drinks, snacks, and snorkeling equipment.

For a full group, the math is attractive. Ten people paying around $63 each receive a private boat rather than a seat on a crowded cruise. At five people, the cost is about $127 per person. At two people, it becomes a much more expensive way to spend three hours.

I would book it when privacy is part of the point, not just when you want to see whales as cheaply as possible. You are paying for control, space, comfort, and the ability to shape the trip around your own group. Those benefits matter more for a family celebration or group holiday than for a budget-conscious couple.

The included refreshments and equipment also reduce small extra costs. You do not have to arrange your own drinks for the boat or rent basic snorkeling gear separately. Still, check whether your group will actually use the swim stop, since part of the price reflects that option.

Should you book the Premium Yacht Private Charter?

Book it if you can fill much of the 10-person capacity and want a personal day at sea. The combination of whale and dolphin watching, a flexible swim stop, provided snorkeling equipment, refreshments, and a professional captain gives you more than a simple boat ride.

I especially like it for families and friends who want to avoid a crowded deck. The front beds, private setting, and freedom to adjust the wildlife and swimming time make the three-hour schedule feel more personal.

Think twice if you are a small group focused only on the lowest price, or if you need guaranteed wildlife sightings. For everyone else, this is a polished, flexible way to experience Tenerife from the water, with the best value coming when you share the yacht with a full group.

FAQ

How long is the private yacht charter?

The charter lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The yacht is available for a private group of up to 10 people.

Where does the experience begin?

The meeting point is Puerto Colón in Playa de las Américas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Where does the activity finish?

The charter returns to the same meeting point at Puerto Colón.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. The trip includes a stop for swimming or snorkeling, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. Drinks and snacks are included during the charter.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

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