Tenerife: Catamaran Cruise with Brunch and Unlimited Drinks

The Atlantic is the main attraction. This Tenerife catamaran cruise pairs coastal views and marine-life watching with a Canarian brunch, an ocean swim, and an open supply of beer, soft drinks, and water. I like the easy hotel pickup and the friendly, hard-working crew. I also like that the boat keeps a respectful distance from whales and dolphins instead of chasing them.

The main catch is the sea itself. The catamaran travels well offshore, so people prone to seasickness should prepare carefully. Also, unlimited does not mean every drink: wine, cocktails, and champagne cost extra, and premium seating or a day bed requires a separate upgrade.

Key points at a glance

• Las Galletas departure: The boat leaves from Marina del Sur after pickup from many hotels in southern Tenerife.
• Wildlife viewing near Punta Rasca: The route gives you a chance to see pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish.
• Two food options: The three-hour cruise includes a sandwich, fruit, and cheesecake. The four-hour trip adds a suckling pig burrito and vegetable dumplings.
• Swimming at Diego Hernández Beach: You get time for an ocean swim and snorkeling, but snorkel equipment is not supplied.
• Unlimited basics, not premium drinks: Beer, soft drinks, and water are included. Wine and cocktails are not.
• Optional comfort upgrades: VIP seating and Balinese-style day beds may be available for an extra fee.

A relaxed afternoon from Las Galletas

This is a good choice if you want to see Tenerife from the water without committing to a full-day sailing trip. The outing lasts three or four hours, depending on the option you choose, and includes transport from a long list of southern Tenerife hotels.

The pickup area covers Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Palm-Mar, and nearby resorts. Your exact pickup point and time depend on the booking, but you should wait there ten minutes early. The driver waits only five minutes after the planned time, so this is not the moment for a leisurely hotel breakfast.

The coach ride to Marina del Sur takes about 45 minutes. That transfer is useful if you are staying away from Las Galletas, though it does make the day longer. The marina is the practical starting point rather than the main event. Once you are aboard, the pace changes quickly from road travel to open water.

The catamaran usually carries around 50 people, based on the experience described by one recent passenger. That is large enough to create a social feel but small enough that the boat need not feel like a floating stadium. The crew has several jobs at once: serving food and drinks, steering the vessel, and explaining what you are seeing.

What the catamaran feels like on the water

The appeal here is simple: sit back, feel the breeze, and watch Tenerife’s southern coast slide past. You can choose a seat, move around the boat, and spend part of the trip outside with the sea air around you.

The route heads west from Marina del Sur. Expect open views, cliff edges, beaches, and changing angles on the coast. The scenery is best enjoyed as a moving picture rather than as a series of formal stops. You are not getting off at every place named on the route, but you will pass by several notable points.

An optional VIP area or preferred seat can make the trip more comfortable. Some departures also offer paid day beds, which are useful if you want to stretch out or if the motion of the sea affects you. They are not essential. A standard seat still gives you the central experience, and one passenger found the regular arrangement perfectly worthwhile without an upgrade.

The crew receives especially strong praise for being friendly and attentive. That matters on a boat trip because service can make the difference between a calm afternoon and a disorganized one. The crew also appears to take marine life seriously, keeping a sensible distance rather than pursuing animals for a closer photograph.

Punta Rasca and the search for whales

After roughly 30 minutes on the boat, the route reaches the Punta Rasca Lighthouse area. This is the main wildlife-watching portion of the cruise and lasts about 45 minutes.

You might see pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, or flying fish. Sightings are never guaranteed, and the sea is not a zoo with scheduled performances. Still, several passengers saw pilot whales and dolphins, with some also spotting turtles and flying fish. Those are the kinds of sightings that can turn a pleasant boat ride into a memorable one.

The live commentary is provided in English and Spanish. Listen for explanations about the marine life and the island’s coast, but keep your eyes moving. A whale or dolphin may appear away from the part of the boat where the commentary is focused.

This is also the point where you should think honestly about seasickness. The boat can travel far enough from shore for the swell to become noticeable. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where you feel most stable, avoid overdoing the alcohol, and consider bringing your usual seasickness remedy. The crew can help with the practical side, but no one can flatten the Atlantic.

Canarian brunch at Diego Hernández Beach

The food is one of the more appealing touches because it is designed around local ingredients rather than generic buffet fare. On the four-hour option, brunch includes a roast turkey sandwich, a suckling pig burrito, vegetable dumplings, and cheesecake.

That is a more substantial meal than the three-hour option, which includes a roast turkey sandwich, seasonal fruit, and cheesecake. If the food matters to you, check which duration you are booking. The difference is not just an extra hour on the water. It also changes the meal.

The food is served in a box rather than as a restaurant-style meal. That keeps things practical on a moving boat and avoids the fuss of plates and formal service. One passenger described the lunch as a well-presented sandwich box and felt it was enough for the time of day. I would think of it as a good onboard meal, not a substitute for a long, leisurely lunch in a Tenerife restaurant.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free menus are available if requested in advance. Contact the operator no later than the day before so the correct food can be prepared. Do not wait until boarding and expect the kitchen to improvise.

Swimming and snorkeling off the Tenerife coast

After the wildlife section, the catamaran spends about an hour near Diego Hernández Beach. This is the active part of the afternoon, with time for swimming and snorkeling.

The ocean swim is a real strength of the trip. Several people particularly enjoyed getting into the water, and the clear blue sea can be a welcome break after sitting in the sun. If you prefer to stay dry, you can remain on deck, eat, talk, or simply watch others make the leap.

Snorkel equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to look below the surface. The supplied information does not promise special snorkeling sites or extensive underwater instruction, so treat this as a chance for a casual swim rather than a guided snorkeling session.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. A VIP or day-bed upgrade may include extra comforts on some departures, but you should not assume that a towel or cocktail comes with the standard fare. Check the exact option before paying more.

Passing Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos

The boat then passes Playa de las Américas and Playa de Los Cristianos, with about 15 minutes allocated to each section of the route. These are not long shore visits. You remain aboard and see the resort coast from the sea.

That change of viewpoint is worthwhile. From land, these places are associated with hotels, promenades, and beaches. From the catamaran, you get a broader view of the shoreline and the cliffs around it. The commentary helps give the passing sights some context.

Do not book this trip expecting time to wander through either resort. The schedule is built around cruising, wildlife watching, food, and swimming. If you want shopping or a proper town visit, plan that separately.

Palm-Mar and the return to Marina del Sur

Palm-Mar provides a photo stop and a longer 45-minute stretch of cruising before the boat heads back. The return route gives you another chance to photograph the coast, lighthouse, cliffs, and open sea from a different angle.

The full boat return to Marina del Sur takes about 30 minutes. After disembarking, you board the coach for drop-off at the same general group of southern Tenerife hotels and resort points. Allow extra time after the advertised cruise duration because the coach transfer is separate from the time on the water.

The schedule is well suited to an afternoon when you do not want to spend the whole day at sea. It is also easy to combine with a resort stay because pickup and drop-off are included at selected locations. Still, the 45-minute outbound and return road transfers mean the total door-to-door time is longer than the headline three or four hours.

What unlimited drinks really includes

The standard drinks package includes unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water. That is generous enough for a sunny cruise, particularly when you are swimming and spending time in the wind.

The fine print matters. Wine, cocktails, and champagne are not included in the standard package. One passenger also found that a small bottle of champagne supplied as an extra was enough for only two small glasses between two people. If you want sparkling wine or cocktails, budget for them separately.

The alcohol policy is sensible: illegal drugs and nudity are not allowed. Keep your drinking moderate, especially if you are prone to seasickness. Beer may feel harmless on a sunny deck, but the movement of the boat can change that calculation quickly.

If you plan to buy extras, bring some cash as well as a card. Card payments may work at the marina or before departure, but one passenger found that the machine could not connect once the boat was offshore. The crew was understanding, but it is better not to depend on a signal in the middle of the Atlantic.

Is the $71 price good value?

At about $71 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an afternoon in Tenerife. It is also more than a simple harbor cruise. The price covers transport from selected hotels, the catamaran, live commentary, the food option tied to your chosen duration, and unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water.

The value is strongest if you use several parts of the package: hotel pickup, wildlife watching, the swim, lunch, and drinks. Paying separately for transport, a boat trip, and food could easily make the day less convenient, even if the final cost were similar.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink, do not want to swim, and mainly want a short scenic cruise. In that case, a simpler boat trip may suit you better. The optional VIP seating and day beds also raise the final cost, so decide in advance how much comfort you need.

The four-hour option makes more sense for anyone who wants a fuller meal and a longer time afloat. The three-hour choice is better if you want the basic experience without giving up most of the day.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and small groups who want an easy mix of scenery, food, wildlife, and swimming. It also suits people staying in the major resorts of southern Tenerife because the pickup network removes the need to arrange a taxi to Las Galletas.

It is a good fit for anyone who prefers a relaxed schedule. You can be active in the water for an hour, but you can also spend most of the trip seated with a drink and a view.

I would be more cautious if you suffer badly from seasickness, dislike shared excursions, or expect luxury food and a full premium drinks menu. The boat can feel social, and the meal is practical rather than elaborate. A day bed or VIP seat may help with comfort, but it will not change the basic nature of the trip.

The strongest reasons to book are the crew, the chance of seeing marine life, the ocean swim, and the useful hotel transfers. The main reasons to think twice are the offshore motion, paid extras, and the difference between the three-hour snack menu and the four-hour brunch.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Marina del Sur in Las Galletas, Tenerife.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from selected locations in southern Tenerife. The listed pickup points include hotels and resort areas in Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos, Palm-Mar, and nearby parts of the south.

How long does the experience last?

The boat trip is available as a three-hour or four-hour experience. Check the available starting times and selected duration when booking.

What food is included?

The three-hour option includes a roast turkey sandwich, seasonal fruit, and cheesecake. The four-hour option includes a roast turkey sandwich, a suckling pig burrito, vegetable dumplings, and cheesecake.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited beer, soft drinks, and water are included. Cocktails, wine, and champagne are not included unless purchased separately or covered by a selected upgrade.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. The itinerary includes time for swimming near Diego Hernández Beach. Snorkel equipment is not included.

Can I see whales or dolphins?

The route includes a marine-life watching section near Punta Rasca Lighthouse. You might see pilot whales, dolphins, turtles, or flying fish, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Are special dietary meals available?

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free menus are available. Contact FIVESTARBOAT at least one day before the cruise so the correct meal can be prepared.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.

Which languages are spoken?

The live commentary and tour service are available in English and Spanish.

My booking recommendation

Book this cruise if you want a sociable, easygoing afternoon that combines Tenerife’s southern coast with marine-life watching and a swim. Choose the four-hour option if you want the fuller Canarian meal, and consider a comfort upgrade only if stretching out matters to you.

Skip it if you need a quiet private boat, a guaranteed whale sighting, or a luxury lunch with wine included. For most people who value convenience and variety, the $71 price is fair, provided you understand the drink limits and prepare for open-sea motion.