Private Boat Tour on Royal Ocean Yacht, Tenerife

Whales and dolphins are the main draw here, but the real treat is having a private yacht for your own group. Royal Ocean sails from Las Galletas toward the open-water areas south of Tenerife, then anchors near Los Cristianos for swimming, snorkeling, food, and drinks. Captain Lui and the crew handle the details while you enjoy the views.

I like two things right away: the yacht has enough seating, restrooms, towels, and snorkeling gear, and the food goes well beyond a few sad biscuits. You get fruit and snacks underway, then jamón, meats, cheeses, and Spanish tapas at anchor. The main caution is the sea itself. If you are prone to seasickness, bring your medicine, since a private boat cannot make rolling water disappear.

Key points to know before booking

• Whale and dolphin watching comes first: The boat heads from Las Galletas toward the area where these animals are commonly sought.
• A private group of up to eight keeps things personal: You are not sharing the yacht with a large boatload of strangers.
• Swimming takes place in a cliff-lined bay near Los Cristianos: Clear water, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and a short walk by the cliffs fill the second half.
• Food and drinks are part of the experience: Expect fruit, snacks, unlimited drinks at anchor, and Spanish-style ham, meats, cheeses, and tapas.
• Captain Lui and the crew add a friendly human touch: The crew is involved in serving food, spotting wildlife, and helping with activities.
• The price makes most sense for a full group: At $900.18 for up to eight people, the per-person cost drops sharply when shared.

From Las Galletas into Tenerife’s whale country

The boat leaves from Royal Ocean at Puerto Deportivo Marina del Sur in Las Galletas, on Tenerife’s south coast. This is a useful starting point for a short outing because the tour can reach open water without spending the whole three hours simply getting there.

The first portion lasts about an hour. You sail toward the waters used for whale and dolphin watching, with the crew keeping watch and helping you spot movement. The wildlife is never a guaranteed performance, so you should approach this part as a search on the sea rather than a scheduled show. That said, the area has produced sightings of pilot whales, dolphins, and porpoises during these trips.

I like that wildlife watching is built into a wider outing. If the animals stay out of sight, you still have a yacht ride, coastal views, food, and time in the water ahead. If you do spot them, the experience gains a memorable spark. One especially successful outing included sightings of perhaps nine whales along with dolphins, while another group saw whales and porpoises.

Bring your phone or camera, but keep it secure. The boat is moving, and the most exciting moment may arrive with little warning. The supplied information says you can take photographs during the whale and dolphin portion, but it does not promise a special photography setup or professional wildlife commentary.

The yacht matters more than the word private

A private trip changes the rhythm. Your group, up to eight people, can settle into the seating areas without having to compete for space or adapt to a mixed crowd. That makes the $900.18 price easier to judge. For two people, it is a costly three-hour outing. For eight, it works out to about $112.52 per person before tips, which is much more reasonable for a private yacht with food, drinks, equipment, and crew service.

The yacht includes a restroom, a practical feature that can make a real difference on the water. There are plenty of seats, along with space to move about and enjoy the ride. Previous outings also made good use of the front of the boat, where you can feel the motion more directly and get a clear view ahead. If you prefer a steadier ride, ask the crew where to sit.

The boat has air conditioning listed among the inclusions, though you will also spend time outside. Towels, bottled water, coffee, tea, soda, alcoholic drinks, and snacks are included. Snorkeling equipment and a SUP, or stand-up paddleboard, are also provided. You do not need to pack your own mask or paddleboard, though you should bring anything personal you need for comfort in the sun.

A wild bay near Los Cristianos

After the wildlife search, the boat makes a short transit toward a wild bay in the cliffs around Los Cristianos. This change of scene is one of the best parts of the trip. The first hour is about open water and spotting animals. The next hour is slower, with the boat anchored in clear turquoise water.

Here you can swim and snorkel from the yacht. The bay also offers a chance to use the SUP, making the stop more than a quick jump into the sea. The water can look inviting, but conditions and swimming comfort vary. Follow the crew’s guidance and remember that the tour requires good weather.

Food is served during the anchorage. The spread includes jamón, other meats, cheeses, and Spanish tapas, along with unlimited drinks. This is a useful distinction: lunch is not an afterthought added to the booking. It helps turn the swimming stop into a relaxed meal break, especially for a birthday, family outing, or small celebration.

Fruit and snacks are offered during the short transit, so you are not expected to wait hungry until the boat anchors. Alcoholic drinks are included, but pace yourself. The boat is still moving for part of the trip, and alcohol can make seasickness feel worse.

Cliffs, caves, and the trip back

The coastal stop includes a short walk alongside the cliffs, with entry into caves before returning to the port. The details of this walk are not specified, so you should not expect a long hike or a formal caving excursion. Think of it as a brief change from boat life, giving you a closer look at the rocky coast.

The cliffs help give this outing a sense of place. You are not simply anchored offshore beside a featureless beach. The setting near Los Cristianos adds rock, sheltered water, and small coastal details to the day.

After the walk, the boat heads back to Las Galletas. The activity ends at the same meeting point where it starts. The full experience lasts about three hours, although the listed stop times account for roughly two hours, with the remaining time used for sailing between locations and returning to port.

Captain Lui, the crew, and the feel onboard

The crew is an important part of the value. Captain Lui is named in the feedback, and his role appears to extend beyond steering. He welcomes the group, helps shape the route around the day’s conditions, and points out places along Tenerife’s coast. A separate booking contact named Dmitri is also praised for making arrangements easy.

You can expect a service style that is attentive without being overly formal. The crew serves food and drinks, helps with snorkeling and paddleboarding, and pays attention to individual needs. One account describes a crew member taking particular care of a passenger, while another praises the team for being courteous, friendly, and happy to help.

That personal service is a strong reason to choose a private trip instead of a cheaper shared boat. You can ask questions, settle into your preferred pace, and spend more time on the activities your group actually wants. The tradeoff is that the price is fixed for the boat, so a small group pays more per person.

Seasickness is the main practical concern

The sea can be calm, but the tour operator specifically warns that the experience is not recommended for people with seasickness unless they take medicine. That warning deserves attention. Even a comfortable yacht will move, particularly during the open-water whale-watching section.

If you know you are sensitive, speak with a medical professional about suitable medicine before the tour. Eat lightly, drink water, and avoid overdoing the included alcohol before the boat settles at anchor. You may also find the ride more comfortable in a central seating area than at the very front or rear.

The supplied accounts include one family outing where two people became seasick. They still enjoyed the day, but that should not be taken as a promise that everyone will feel fine. If motion sickness regularly ruins boat trips for you, this may not be the right use of your holiday budget.

Who gets the best value from this yacht trip

This outing suits families, couples, and groups of friends who value privacy more than the lowest possible price. Children enjoyed the wildlife, swimming, and paddleboarding, while adults appreciated the food, drinks, views, and space. It also works well for a birthday or another small celebration because the boat is reserved for your group.

The tour is particularly attractive for a group of six to eight. At that size, the per-person cost is close to what you might pay for several separate activities, while you also receive a dedicated crew, lunch, drinks, equipment, and transport on the water.

Couples should think more carefully about the math. A private yacht for two can feel wonderfully special, but $900.18 is a major spend for three hours. If privacy, a birthday setting, or a relaxed day on the water matters more than stretching your budget, it may still feel worthwhile.

The activity is also a good fit if you want several experiences in one booking: wildlife watching, a coastal cruise, snorkeling, swimming, paddleboarding, a cliff walk, tapas, and drinks. It is less suitable if your priority is a long snorkeling session, a guaranteed whale sighting, or a full-day sailing adventure.

Pickup, timing, and what to bring

The meeting point is Royal Ocean S.L. at Puerto Deportivo Marina del Sur, 38631 Las Galletas. Pickup is offered, with the listed pickup detail pointing to the main entrance of X-Sur Mall. One account also describes hotel pickup, so confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking rather than assuming your accommodation is included.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, though the operator flags seasickness as a concern. No separate accessibility details are provided, so ask Royal Ocean directly if anyone in your group has mobility needs or requires special assistance on the yacht, stairs, or at the shore stop.

Wear swimwear under comfortable clothes and bring sun protection. Towels are supplied, as are snorkeling items, but your own waterproof phone pouch can be useful. Keep valuables limited, since boat space is shared within your group even though the trip itself is private.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not refunded, and tips are not included.

Is $900.18 a fair price?

The price is best understood as a boat charter, not an ordinary sightseeing ticket. You are paying $900.18 for up to eight people, three hours, crew service, whale and dolphin searching, a private route, food, drinks, towels, a restroom, snorkeling equipment, and a SUP.

For a full group, the calculation is persuasive. Eight people sharing the cost pay about $112.52 each. Six people pay about $150 each. Four people pay about $225 each. For two people, the cost rises to about $450 each, so the private setting needs to be a central part of the occasion.

The strongest value comes from the combination of activities. You are not paying only for a wildlife cruise, where sightings may or may not happen. You also receive a meal and drinks, a swimming stop, water equipment, coastal views, and a small cliff walk. That makes the experience more dependable as a complete half-day-style outing, even when nature does not cooperate perfectly.

Tips are extra. Alcoholic beverages are included, but the activity does not list hotel transfer as universally included, so check the pickup details before you finalize your plans.

Should you book the Royal Ocean yacht?

I would book this for a group that wants a polished, private day on Tenerife’s south coast and is happy to pay for space and service. The combination of wildlife watching, a cliff-lined bay, swimming, paddleboarding, tapas, and drinks gives the three hours a good range.

I would be more cautious for a couple watching every euro, anyone with serious seasickness, or anyone expecting guaranteed close-up wildlife. Book at least 24 hours ahead if you need the cancellation safety net, confirm your pickup point, and choose a day with a favorable forecast.

For six to eight people, this is an especially sensible splurge. You get the privacy of a charter without dividing the cost among only two guests. If your group wants a relaxed, social outing with food already handled and the freedom to enjoy Tenerife from the water, Royal Ocean is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Royal Ocean S.L., Puerto Deportivo Marina del Sur, 38631 Las Galletas, Tenerife, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private yacht?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people.

What wildlife might I see?

The trip searches for whales and dolphins. Sightings can include pilot whales and porpoises, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is food included?

Yes. Snacks and fruit are offered during the trip, and lunch includes jamón, meats, cheeses, and Spanish tapas.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic drinks, bottled water, coffee, tea, and soda are included. Unlimited drinks are served while the boat is anchored.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, towels, and a SUP are included.

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.