Tenerife: Shared Yacht Cruise with Champagne and Tapas

The best part of this Tenerife cruise is its small size. You share a smart Beneteau Antares 42 with no more than 10 people, so the boat feels calm and personal rather than like a floating bus. Champagne arrives as you board, and the crew may include friendly local guides such as Juan, Michelle, Maxi, Martina, or Raúl. Dolphin and whale sightings are possible, but never guaranteed.

I like the generous food and drink setup, and I like that the trip gives you real time in the water instead of only cruising past the coast. Spanish ham, cheese, baguettes, tortilla española, fruit, and flowing cava make the $100 price easier to justify. The main caution is the sea itself: seasickness can spoil the outing, and the exact water activities or swimming time may vary.

The quick take: small yacht, open sea, and a proper swim stop

• A maximum of 10 people keeps the cruise intimate and gives you room to stretch out.
• Champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included throughout the three-hour trip.
• Spanish tapas include tortilla española, jamón, cheese, baguettes, and fresh fruit.
• La Caleta provides the main water stop, with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and sea scooters.
• Wildlife sightings may include dolphins, pilot whales, turtles, flying fish, or other marine life.
• The $100 price covers the boat, fuel, crew, food, drinks, and equipment, making it good value for a half-day on the Atlantic.

Leaving Puerto Colon aboard the Antares 42

You meet at Puerto Colon, Patalan Nº2, 15 minutes before the scheduled departure. The instructions say to stay at the top by the gate, so do not wander down the marina looking for the boat. If you selected hotel pickup, wait outside your hotel reception at the agreed time. Pickup and drop-off are tied to the option you choose, so check that detail when booking.

The cruise leaves at 10:30 AM for the stated departure. The boat is a Beneteau Antares 42, a proper yacht rather than a large party vessel. That distinction matters. With only four to 10 people, you can usually move between the deck, seating areas, and swim platform without fighting for space.

The trip needs at least four bookings to operate. If fewer people book, you are rescheduled for another day. That is worth keeping in mind if you are planning a tightly timed holiday schedule.

Once aboard, you receive a glass of champagne. This is a pleasant start, but the real value comes from the whole package: captain, crew, fuel, food, drinks, safety gear, snorkeling equipment, and water toys are included. You are paying for a complete outing, not simply a seat on a boat.

The first 45 minutes: coastline views and wildlife watching

The opening stretch is a gentle introduction to Tenerife from the water. The crew gives a safety briefing, serves the first food and drinks, and points out marine life and coastal views as the boat moves away from Puerto Colon.

This is the part of the trip where patience helps. Dolphin and whale watching depends on nature, not the schedule. Several outings have spotted dolphins, pilot whales, sea turtles, flying fish, and even orcas, but you should treat these as possible bonuses rather than promises.

The crew’s local knowledge can make a difference here. Juan has been praised for explaining the area and different types of dolphins and whales, while Maxi, Raúl, Michelle, and other crew members have also been singled out for attentive service and wildlife information. A good guide will help you watch from a respectful distance, especially around pilot whales. Do not expect a staged animal show.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole morning staring at a screen. The Atlantic can change quickly, and sightings may be brief. You will get better value from the trip if you accept that the wildlife portion is partly luck and focus on the entire experience.

La Caleta for 90 minutes of swimming and water play

The main stop is near La Caleta, where the yacht pauses for about an hour and a half. This is the heart of the outing. You can swim, snorkel, use the paddleboard, and try the sea scooters, with life jackets and safety equipment available.

The water stop gives the cruise a useful rhythm. You begin with the coast and wildlife, settle into lunch and drinks, then get a chance to cool off and move around. If you prefer not to swim, you can stay on deck with a drink and watch the action.

The supplied equipment is a good reason to choose this trip over a standard sightseeing cruise. Paddleboarding gives you a quiet way to explore near the boat, while the electric sea scooters add a more playful option. Snorkeling gear is included as well.

Set your expectations carefully. One booking party expected more water sports than the description suggested, and another noted that a slide shown in promotional photos was not available. The exact equipment can change, and the swimming stop may be limited to one main stop. Paddleboards were also described differently in one account, so confirm what is available on your departure if the water toys are your main reason for booking.

You should bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and camera. There is no point packing formal clothes for this one. You will want something that dries easily and protects you from the strong sun while you are on deck.

Tapas, cava, and the relaxed lunch break

The food is simple, Spanish, and well suited to a boat. Expect fresh baguettes, tortilla española, Spanish jamón, cheese, and fruit. This is not a restaurant meal, but it is more substantial than a packet of snacks and fits the easy pace of the cruise.

I particularly like tortilla española in this setting. The traditional potato-and-egg dish is filling without being fussy, and it travels well. Jamón, cheese, bread, and fruit give you enough variety to make a light lunch while you are swimming or sitting in the sun.

Drinks include champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. Cava appears often in the trip feedback, and the crew keeps drinks available during the cruise. One small complaint was that drink top-ups were not always frequent enough, while another person noted that snacks such as crisps ran out. These are minor points, but they show why you should not expect a fully staffed luxury restaurant at sea.

Vegetarian diners should take note. One person specifically wanted more vegetarian sandwiches or wraps instead of mainly ham-based choices. The listed spread includes cheese, fruit, bread, and tortilla, but the information does not promise a separate vegetarian menu. If your diet is important to the booking, ask the operator in advance.

The alcohol is part of the price, not a reason to rush. The Atlantic, sunshine, and boat movement can catch up with you quickly. Alternate alcoholic drinks with water, eat before swimming, and tell the crew if you feel unwell.

The final 45 minutes back to Puerto Colon

After the La Caleta stop, the boat returns along Tenerife’s coast. You get another chance for photographs, coastal views, and marine life, although the focus shifts back to relaxing on deck.

This last stretch is often when the small-group format pays off. You can sit quietly, chat with the crew, or enjoy one last drink without the loud crowd and fixed seating found on larger cruises. The crew has been praised for making people feel well cared for, especially families and couples.

The stated drop-off points are Puerto Colon, Patalan 2, and Playa de las Américas. If a transfer was selected, confirm the return arrangement. One past booking expected a hotel transfer but had to use a taxi instead, although the taxi cost was described as modest.

What the $100 price really gets you

At $100 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Tenerife. It is also not a bare-bones boat ride. You receive three hours aboard a relatively small yacht, a captain and full crew, fuel, food, a welcome glass of champagne, unlimited listed drinks, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, sea scooters, and safety gear.

That makes the price good for someone who wants several elements in one booking. A wildlife cruise alone may cost less, and a simple beach afternoon certainly can. But adding a yacht, lunch, drinks, crew service, and water equipment separately could quickly narrow the gap.

The group limit is the key value point. A maximum of 10 people gives the trip a private-charter feel without requiring you to hire the whole boat. If only four or five people book, you may get an especially quiet outing. If all 10 spaces are taken, it should still feel far more personal than a large catamaran cruise.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink alcohol, dislike swimming, or mainly want guaranteed wildlife. Soft drinks and water are included, and you can enjoy the views without drinking, but much of the package is built around the food, beverages, and swim stop.

How the crew shapes the day

The strongest part of this experience is the service. Juan has been praised for his information about local wildlife and for helping people feel comfortable. Michelle has been described as attentive, while Maxi and Raúl have received similar praise for their friendly manner and knowledge of the coast.

Crew names can change, of course, so do not book solely because you hope for one particular person. The important point is the style of the operation: the captain and crew remain close to the group, explain what is happening, refresh drinks, and help with water activities.

That personal attention is especially useful if you are unsure about snorkeling or paddleboarding. It also matters if someone in your group feels sick. One family received practical help when a daughter became seasick, and another person with severe seasickness was advised where to sit.

Still, crew care cannot remove rough water. If you are prone to seasickness, this is not the safest choice for a carefree morning. Take appropriate precautions only if you already know they suit you, choose a seat with the least motion, and tell the crew early.

Who should book this cruise

I would choose this trip for couples, families, and small groups who want a polished boat outing without paying for a whole private yacht. It suits people who like a mixed day: some sightseeing, some wildlife watching, a light lunch, and time in the sea.

It is also a good fit for a final holiday morning or afternoon. The three-hour length is long enough to feel like a real excursion but short enough to leave room for dinner or another plan.

Families should remember that the trip includes alcohol and open water, so adults need to keep an eye on children during the swim stop. The small group can feel relaxed, but it is not a private family boat unless your party fills all the spaces.

I would be more cautious if you want a fast-paced water park experience. The paddleboards and sea scooters are useful extras, but the cruise is mainly about sailing, food, wildlife, and a swim. It is not sold as a full day of water sports.

Practical details that make the trip smoother

Arrive 15 minutes early at Puerto Colon Patalan Nº2 and wait at the top gate. Bring swimwear, towel, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, and camera. You may want a light cover-up for the ride back if you spend a long time in the water.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. Pickup is optional and depends on the booking choice. The activity allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.

The minimum of four people is the only major scheduling condition. If the trip does not reach that number, the operator reschedules you. Ask about the new date if your plans are fixed.

Should you book the Puerto Colon yacht cruise?

Book it if you want a small, friendly yacht trip with good food, included drinks, wildlife chances, and a proper swim stop. The combination is hard to beat for a relaxed half-day, and the small group helps justify the price.

Skip it if you are highly prone to seasickness, need guaranteed whale sightings, or expect slides and a long list of water toys. For everyone else, $100 is a fair price for three hours of yacht time, tapas, champagne, crew service, and access to the Atlantic around Tenerife.

FAQ

Where does the yacht cruise depart from?

The meeting point is Puerto Colon Patalan Nº2. Arrive 15 minutes before departure and wait at the top by the gate.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts three hours. The stated departure time is 10:30 AM, with availability depending on the date selected.

How many people can join the yacht?

The group is limited to 10 participants. At least four people must book for the trip to operate.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive Spanish tapas including baguettes, tortilla española, jamón, cheese, and fresh fruit. Drinks include champagne, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water.

Can I swim or use water equipment?

The stop near La Caleta includes opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and using sea scooters. Snorkeling gear, life jackets, and safety equipment are provided.

What happens if fewer than four people book?

The trip will be rescheduled for another day if fewer than four people book. Check the new date with the operator before making firm plans around the cruise.