Tenerife: PRIVATE Catamaran cruise with Lunch and Drinks

A private catamaran gives you something a standard boat trip cannot: room to set the pace. From San Miguel Marina, you sail along Tenerife’s southern coast, anchor for swimming and lunch, then return with time for whale and dolphin spotting. Three paddleboards and snorkeling gear are ready to use, so you are not just sitting at sea.

I like the easy group value and the friendly, well-organized service described for this outing. I also like that the food is more substantial than a packet of snacks, with tapas and/or seafood or chicken paella, plus water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. The main drawback is the short 3.5-hour running time. People prone to seasickness should skip it, and the sailing portion may feel brief if you want a full-day charter.

Key points to know before you book

• Private space for up to eight: The $793 group price covers up to eight people, making this most attractive for families or friends traveling together.
• Two 45-minute sailing legs: You spend about 90 minutes underway, with roughly two hours anchored for food and water activities.
• Three SUP boards included: You can paddle from the catamaran, alongside snorkeling and other floating equipment.
• Lunch is served onboard: Expect tapas and/or seafood or chicken paella, with water, soft drinks, beer, and wine.
• Wildlife is possible, not guaranteed: Southern Tenerife waters are frequented by dolphins and whales, so keep watch during the crossing.
• Cava and the tube ride cost extra: Sparkling wine and a rib-towed ring or tube are not part of the included package.

Setting sail from San Miguel Marina

Your outing begins at Marina San Miguel in Golf del Sur, on Tenerife’s south coast. This is the fixed starting point, although a different pickup point may be arranged for a private charter. Check the exact meeting details when booking, since the general information does not give a separate transfer service.

The marina is a practical launch point for a half-day on the Atlantic. Once aboard, the catamaran heads out for about 45 minutes. That first stretch is useful for settling into the boat, finding a comfortable place on the front sunbed, and watching the coast recede.

The appeal here is not a narrated sightseeing circuit with a long list of formal stops. It is a relaxed boat day built around open water, fresh air, and time at anchor. You will see Tenerife’s volcanic cliffs and rugged shoreline from a different angle, with coves and beaches that are difficult or impossible to reach from land.

The boat has a professional captain and crew, and safety equipment, including life vests, is provided. The available languages are Norwegian, English, and Spanish. Since this is a private group, you can discuss the rhythm of the outing with the crew rather than adapting to a large crowd’s schedule.

The 45-minute cruise along Tenerife’s south coast

The sailing legs are not just transportation between the marina and lunch stop. They are part of the experience, especially if you enjoy the movement of a catamaran and the changing views along the shore.

The supplied plan allows about 45 minutes from the marina to the anchorage and another 45 minutes for the return. Depending on weather and the crew’s choices, you may pass rocky shorelines, volcanic formations, and small coastal inlets. Keep your eyes on the water as well as the land. Dolphins and whales frequent these waters, although sightings are never promised.

The southern coast is known for generally calm conditions and steady winds throughout the year, but the sea can still affect people differently. If you know you are prone to seasickness, this is not the right outing for you. Even on a stable catamaran, bring a light jacket because the breeze can feel cool once the boat is moving.

This is also when you should take photographs. At anchor, your attention will likely turn to swimming, lunch, and the views from the water. During the crossing, you have a better chance to simply watch the coastline and scan for marine life.

Two hours at anchor for swimming and lunch

The central stop lasts around two hours, giving you the best part of the outing for active water time and a leisurely meal. The crew chooses one of its favorite anchoring areas, where you can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or use the other floating equipment.

The water is described as clear and inviting, but conditions can vary. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a jacket. You will want the sunscreen even on a breezy day, since the open water and reflected light can make the sun stronger than it feels.

Three stand-up paddleboards are included. That is a useful number for a group of up to eight, though not everyone will be on a board at once. Snorkeling equipment is also supplied, along with other water toys and equipment. The package includes a dinghy ride, adding another way to move around the anchorage.

A practical point: the included equipment makes this more than a sightseeing cruise, but it does not turn the outing into a dedicated watersports lesson. The activity is self-directed, with the crew providing the gear and a safe setting. If you prefer floating, swimming, or sunbathing, you can do that instead.

The catamaran’s large front sunbed is the natural place to relax between swims. You can stretch out, enjoy the sea air, and let the crew handle the sailing. For a mixed group, this flexibility matters. One person can snorkel while another eats, and someone else can simply sit in the sun.

Tapas or paella served on the boat

Food is a central part of the charter, not a minor add-on. The meal includes tapas and/or seafood or chicken paella, with fresh fruit and drinks. Water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are included.

The wording allows for tapas, paella, or a combination depending on the arrangement, so I would confirm the exact menu before departure if anyone in your group has strong food preferences. The food is served onboard during the anchorage, when you can enjoy it without rushing through a restaurant meal.

That setup is one of the reasons the private price can make sense. You are combining transport on the water, a private boat, crew, lunch, drinks, and equipment in one half-day outing. The private setting also means your group can decide how much time to give the meal compared with swimming.

Fresh fruit is included, which gives the meal a lighter option after time in the sun. Beer and wine are part of the standard drinks selection, but cava or prosecco is not included. If sparkling wine matters to your celebration, budget for it separately.

A rib-towed tube or ring ride is also not included. The charter does include a dinghy ride, but do not assume that means a powered inflatable ride. Ask about the optional tube or ring if that is a priority for your group.

What the private format is really worth

The listed price is $793 per group of up to eight. At full capacity, that works out to just under $100 per person for 3.5 hours, including the captain, food, drinks, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, water equipment, and safety gear.

That per-person value is much stronger with six to eight people. For a couple or a small group, the total price is harder to justify unless privacy and control are important to you. You are paying for the boat itself, not simply for a seat on a scheduled cruise.

I see the private format as especially useful for families, birthday groups, couples traveling with friends, or anyone who wants a quieter outing. You can settle into the front sunbed without competing for space, and the crew can shape the day around your group’s preferences.

It is also a good choice for people who dislike rigid boat tours. The operator says the day can be arranged around your preferences, within the limits of the weather and available time. That may mean more swimming, a slower lunch, more time under sail, or greater use of the paddleboards.

Still, keep your expectations realistic. A private charter does not guarantee a secluded beach stop, a whale sighting, or perfect sea conditions. The experience is built around a selected anchorage, not a promise to visit a particular hidden cove.

The crew and the pace onboard

An experienced professional captain leads the trip, with crew support onboard. The available languages are Norwegian, English, and Spanish, which is helpful for safety instructions and arranging the day.

The strongest service detail available is the combination of friendliness and organization. The crew is described as helpful, fun, and attentive, while still keeping the atmosphere relaxed. That balance matters on a small private boat. You want clear instructions when using equipment, but you do not want a constant stream of announcements.

The crew also handles the practical work of serving food and drinks, managing the boat, and preparing the water equipment. You get more time to enjoy the Atlantic rather than sorting out every detail yourself.

Because this is a private group, speak up early about your priorities. If one person wants to snorkel, another wants the paddleboard, and someone else wants a long lunch, the crew can help fit those wishes into the two-hour anchoring period.

Who will enjoy this 3.5-hour charter most

I would choose this outing for a group that values privacy and wants several activities in one package. It suits people who want to swim and eat well without committing an entire day to a boat.

It is particularly good for:

• Families who want onboard space and a range of water activities
• Friends splitting the group cost
• Couples looking for a private setting rather than a shared excursion
• People who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and sunbathing
• Visitors who want a relaxed coastal view without a long land excursion

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a full day of sailing. With two 45-minute sailing periods and about two hours at anchor, the schedule gives you a taste of each activity rather than hours of uninterrupted sailing.

I would also avoid booking if you are highly sensitive to motion. The activity information specifically warns that it is not suitable for people prone to seasickness.

Practical things to bring from the marina

Pack light, but bring the items that make an open-water outing comfortable:

• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Jacket

The jacket deserves special attention. Tenerife’s south coast may feel warm at the marina, but wind on a moving catamaran can change the feel of the day. A light extra layer is a simple safeguard.

Wear something easy for moving around the boat and getting wet. You will need to shift between sailing, eating, swimming, and using the water equipment. The provided safety gear includes life vests, but you should still listen carefully to the crew before entering the water.

Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. The standard departure point is Marina San Miguel, and private pickup arrangements may be possible. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife plans are still taking shape.

How the experience compares with a standard boat trip

The main difference is control. On a shared cruise, the schedule and atmosphere are set for you. Here, up to eight people share the boat privately, and the crew can adjust the day to your group’s preferences.

The second difference is the package. You get lunch, fruit, drinks, swimming time, snorkeling equipment, three SUP boards, floating gear, a dinghy ride, and safety equipment. You are not paying only for a boat ride and then adding every activity separately.

The trade-off is duration. Three and a half hours passes quickly once you allow time for boarding, sailing out, anchoring, lunch, water activities, and the return trip. If you want a long coastal cruise, you may find the schedule too compact. If you want a manageable half-day between other Tenerife plans, the length works well.

The private setting also helps the outing feel more personal. The crew can focus on your group, and you can keep the mood as active or quiet as you like. That is the real reason to choose this instead of the cheapest available shared boat.

Should you book this private Tenerife catamaran?

Book it if you have a group of up to eight, want a private boat, and value a mix of swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, lunch, and coastal views. At full capacity, the cost is reasonable for what is included, especially with the crew, meal, drinks, and equipment bundled together.

I would make the booking after confirming the exact food choice and any optional charges for cava, prosecco, or the tube ride. I would also make sure everyone is comfortable on the sea and understands that wildlife sightings and specific coves depend on conditions.

Skip it if you want a full-day sailing adventure, a guaranteed whale encounter, or a dedicated high-speed watersports session. For a relaxed private half-day with a friendly crew and plenty to do at anchor, this is a strong choice from San Miguel Marina.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise begin?

The cruise begins at Marina San Miguel in Golf del Sur, Tenerife. Different pickup points may be arranged for a private charter.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts 3.5 hours. Check availability for the available starting times.

How many people can join the private group?

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

What food is served onboard?

The food includes tapas and/or seafood or chicken paella, depending on the arrangement. Fresh fruit is also included.

Which drinks are included?

Water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are included.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddleboards provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, three SUP paddleboards, and other floating equipment are provided.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. The boat anchors at a favorite spot where you can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or use the floating equipment.

Are cava and prosecco included?

No. Cava or prosecco is available separately and is not part of the included package.

Is the tube or ring ride included?

No. A rib ride with a tube or ring is not included. A dinghy ride is included.