Tenerife: Catamaran Cruise with an Open Bar

The biggest draw here is the chance to watch Tenerife’s western coast from a spacious catamaran, with pilot whales and dolphins often seen near the boat. The longer sailing also reaches the great Cliffs of Los Gigantes and Masca Bay, where a full set of steps makes getting into the sea easier.

I like the relaxed pace and the helpful crew, especially if you need a little extra assistance. I also like having a choice between a shorter 3-hour outing and a fuller 4.5-hour cruise. The main catch is that the food may disappoint, loud music can run throughout the sailing, and a double sunbed costs an extra 25 euros.

Key points to know before booking

• Choose your cruise length carefully: The 3-hour trip includes snacks, drinks, and bubbly. The 4.5-hour option adds lunch, Los Gigantes, Masca Bay, and swimming.
• Whale watching is a real highlight: Pilot whales and dolphins have been seen close to the catamaran.
• Masca Bay has easy water access: A full set of steps lowers into the sea, though swimming and snorkeling equipment is not supplied.
• The western coast is the setting: Expect open views, cliffs, bright water, and plenty of time on deck.
• Sunbeds cost extra: A double sunbed is available for 25 euros, so budget for it if reserved lounging matters to you.
• Hotel pickup is limited: Pickup covers southern Tenerife, but not every hotel or rural area. You receive the nearest assigned meeting point.

Choosing between the 3-hour and 4.5-hour sailings

This experience is really two different outings sold under one name. Pick the 3-hour cruise if you want a simple boat trip, some sun, drinks, light food, and less time at sea. Pick the 4.5-hour cruise if you want the full west-coast route, a swim stop, lunch, and the best chance to see the major coastal sights.

The shorter option is easier to fit around other plans. It suits you if you have only half a day free, prefer a lighter outing, or mainly want time on the water. Snacks, drinks, and bubbly are included, along with a sandwich, so you should not expect a full meal.

The longer sailing gives the outing more shape. You cruise toward Los Gigantes, look for marine life, stop at Masca Bay, swim, eat lunch, and return to the marina. The published information describes this option as 4.5 hours, although the general description also refers to a 4-hour cruise. Check the exact duration when you choose your date.

At $55 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the longer cruise fully. An open bar, lunch, transport by catamaran, and hotel pickup can add up quickly when booked separately. The value is weaker if you choose the shorter version mainly for food, since the snacks are not meant to replace a proper meal.

Getting to the marina from southern Tenerife

You can make your own way to the marina or select hotel pickup from the south of Tenerife. The included transport is an air-conditioned coach, which is useful in the island’s strong sun and saves you from arranging a taxi.

Do not assume that every southern hotel has a door-to-door pickup. Rural areas are not covered, and the operator does not collect from every hotel. You receive the closest assigned pickup point, so check this before the morning of your cruise.

The transport arrangement can be especially helpful if you are not driving. One passenger who used a walking stick received a designated coach seat, avoided the main queue, and boarded first. That kind of assistance is worth requesting in advance if standing for long periods is difficult.

The host or greeter speaks English and Spanish. Once you reach the marina, the crew welcomes you aboard the Freebird catamaran and helps set the outing in motion.

Settling aboard the Freebird catamaran

The Freebird is presented as a deluxe catamaran, with a sunlit upper deck where you can sit back and watch Tenerife’s coast. You get open views rather than the enclosed feel of a sightseeing bus, and the motion of a catamaran is generally suited to a calm, easygoing day at sea.

Bring a hat, sunglasses, and strong sun protection. The top deck is made for sunshine, but that same exposure can become tiring during a long crossing. You can use the onboard drinks service while you take in the views, and the 4.5-hour sailing includes an unlimited selection of drinks such as beer and soda.

There is also an optional double sunbed, priced at 25 euros. That charge is not included in the headline price. It may make sense for two people who want a reserved place to stretch out, but you should not need it to enjoy the cruise.

The atmosphere is not quiet. Music plays while the catamaran is moving, which suits you if you want a social boat-party feel. If you came for the sound of water, wind, and seabirds, the music may wear thin over several hours.

Sailing Tenerife’s western coastline

The coastline is the main visual reward. As the catamaran moves along the west side of Tenerife, you see the island from a broad, water-level angle. The coast curves away toward cliffs and sheltered bays, while the open sea gives you a clear sense of the island’s edge.

The 3-hour route gives you a taste of this setting without committing most of a day. You can sit with a drink, take photographs, and enjoy the changing view. It is a straightforward choice for people who value an uncomplicated outing more than a packed schedule.

The 4.5-hour route has time to travel farther toward the Cliffs of Los Gigantes. These pale, sheer rock walls rise dramatically from the ocean, and their scale is hard to judge from land. From the boat, you see the sides dropping toward the water and have a good chance to capture photographs from a different angle.

The word cruise matters here. This is not a fast sightseeing ride that rushes from one stop to the next. Much of the experience is simply being on the water. If you need constant activity, the long version may feel slow. If you like open air, views, and an unhurried deck seat, that slower rhythm works well.

Watching for pilot whales, dolphins, and seabirds

Keep your eyes on the water during the cruise. Dolphins and seabirds are commonly sighted in these waters, and pilot whales have been seen close to the catamaran. One especially strong encounter involved a group of pilot whales swimming near the boat, while dolphins also made a memorable appearance on another sailing.

Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, so you should not book this as a fixed whale-watching performance. The value is in combining the search with the coastal cruise. Even without a close encounter, you still have the cliffs, sea air, and time on deck.

Bring a camera, but keep watching with your own eyes. Marine animals can surface quickly, and the best moment may last only a few seconds. The crew can help point out activity, but the experience still rewards patience.

This is one reason I would favor the longer option if marine life is your priority. More time at sea gives you more opportunity to spot something, although it does not promise a sighting.

Swimming at Masca Bay

The longer sailing continues to Masca Bay, where the catamaran drops anchor for a swim. This is the most active part of the day and a welcome change after sitting on deck.

A full set of steps lowers into the sea, making entry much easier than climbing over a narrow side ladder. That detail matters if you are cautious in open water or find ordinary boat access awkward. You can swim beneath the boat, cool off, and look for marine life in the clear water.

The operator does not provide swimming or snorkeling equipment. Bring your own gear if you want to explore below the surface, and only swim if you are comfortable in the conditions. The supplied information confirms the swimming stop, but it does not promise a guided snorkeling session or special underwater activities.

If you do not want to swim, you can remain on the catamaran and enjoy the bay from the deck. The stop still breaks up the ride and gives you another setting for photographs.

The steps into the sea are helpful, but the onboard toilet is a different matter. It is reached by fully vertical wooden ladder steps, which can be difficult for anyone with mobility limitations. The coach boarding assistance is a plus, but the boat itself is not fully easy-access.

Lunch, snacks, and the open bar

Food depends on the cruise you select. The 3-hour version includes snacks, drinks, bubbly, and a sandwich. Think of it as light refreshment rather than a meal, especially if you are boarding around lunchtime.

The 4.5-hour sailing includes a buffet with chicken, rice or vegetable rice, and meatballs. The drinks service is unlimited and includes options such as beer and soda. For a longer trip, having food included is convenient and helps support the $55 price.

I would keep expectations modest about the meal. The quality can be uneven. Some passengers found the food satisfying enough, while others strongly disliked the chicken balls and found the rice nearly gone by the time they reached it. If lunch is important to you, eat something beforehand or bring a sensible backup if permitted.

The open bar is a stronger part of the package, particularly for a sunny afternoon on the sea. Still, drink responsibly. A long boat trip in direct sun can catch up with you quickly, especially if you are swimming.

What the atmosphere is really like

The crew has earned strong praise for being attentive and helpful. That showed in practical ways, including assisting a passenger with limited mobility and arranging early boarding. You can expect a hosted group outing rather than an independent sailing experience.

The mood leans social. Music plays while the boat is underway, and the combination of drinks, sunshine, and a large catamaran creates an easy party feel. That will suit you if you want a cheerful day out with conversation and background music.

It may not suit you if you want a quiet nature cruise. The music reportedly continues for much of the moving time, so peaceful stretches can be limited. The crowd can also feel older, with one account describing a group made up largely of people over 70. That does not make the trip unsuitable for younger people, but it suggests this is not designed as a high-energy youth party.

I would describe the mood as relaxed and mixed, with the boat, bar, and scenery doing most of the work. The strongest moments come from the sea, wildlife, cliffs, and swim stop rather than from organized entertainment.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend the 4.5-hour sailing to you if you want several parts in one outing: coastal views, wildlife watching, Los Gigantes, a swim, lunch, and drinks. It works well for couples, families with confident swimmers, and anyone who wants to spend a sunny half-day outside without planning each detail.

The 3-hour option suits you if you want less time on the boat or prefer a simpler schedule. It also makes sense if you are uncertain about spending many hours at sea, or if you plan to combine the cruise with another activity in southern Tenerife.

Think carefully if you have mobility difficulties. The coach may offer helpful arrangements, but the catamaran toilet requires steep vertical ladder steps. The swim platform is easier to use because of the full staircase, yet the boat is not described as fully accessible.

This is also not the best pick if food quality is a deciding factor. The meal is useful and included on the long trip, but it is not a culinary event. Choose it for the coastline, wildlife, and time on the water, with lunch as a practical extra.

Booking details and final advice

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife schedule is still shifting.

Choose the longer sailing if you care most about Los Gigantes, Masca Bay, swimming, and the best chance of seeing whales or dolphins. Choose the shorter sailing if you mainly want fresh air, a catamaran ride, snacks, and drinks at a lower time commitment.

I would book this cruise for the scenery, attentive crew, wildlife possibility, and easy swim access. I would not book it expecting gourmet food, silence, a young party crowd, or included sunbeds. At $55, it is good value when you treat it as a relaxed coastal day with drinks and, on the long route, lunch and a swim.

FAQ

How much does the Tenerife catamaran cruise cost?

The listed price is $55 per person.

How long is the catamaran cruise?

You can choose a 3-hour cruise or a longer cruise listed as 4.5 hours. The general description also refers to a 4-hour option, so check the exact duration when booking.

What food is included on the 3-hour cruise?

The 3-hour sailing includes snacks, drinks, bubbly, and a sandwich. It does not include the larger lunch buffet described for the longer cruise.

What food is included on the 4.5-hour cruise?

The longer cruise includes lunch with chicken, rice or vegetable rice, and meatballs, along with unlimited drinks.

Does the cruise include hotel pickup?

Pickup is included from southern Tenerife, but rural areas are not covered and the operator does not collect from every hotel. You may be assigned the closest pickup point.

Which languages are available?

The host or greeter speaks English and Spanish.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Swimming is included on the 4.5-hour sailing at Masca Bay. A full set of steps lowers into the sea, but swimming and snorkeling equipment is not provided.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The 3-hour cruise includes drinks and bubbly. The 4.5-hour cruise includes an unlimited selection of drinks, including beer and soda.